Passionate Leaders Also Need Patience!

"What I discovered over time, is that PASSIONATE leaders also need PATIENCE if we want to ignite a fire in our schools and districts that lasts.  Once we light a spark, we need to give it time to catch… we need to nurture it, feed it, stoke it, give it our constant attention and let it develop into a slow and steady burn that ultimately engulfs our school or district community. “

This segment from Shelley Burgess' blog  grabbed my attention.  I think about how excited I can get about new resources and ideas.  But, not everyone will be as excited as I am.  Recently, I was talking with the principal I work with about a recent presentation by Pernille Ripp.  Something that struck her from a conversation with Perenille was  “...we have to remember there is a person in personalized learning.”  It made me think about how we need to consider how much we are putting on the plate of our teachers and students.  It is important to consider they are a person with a life outside of school and we do not necessarily know their whole story.   After all isn't our mission to educate a whole person.

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This conversation was followed by a conversation with a teacher. I had left a note on my door … “What literacy magic would you like to happen this year?” A teacher responded with, “Personalized learning.” We have been implementing personalized learning for the past couple of years. Later, the teacher let me know she had added the response.  We had a conversation about the need to work to get better at some of the current initiatives instead of adding more. This is where I see we need to nurture, feed, and stoke the fire.  Teachers want to do what is best for kids, we all just have different perspectives about what that is.  Those who already are participating in implementation need the time to allow the fire to grow. Others need us to nurture, feed, and stoke the process.  With a little personalized coaching and a lot of understanding and trust, magic will happen.

​This year, I will be in the new role of literacy coach.  As I go into this new role I need to remember my passions are not everyone's. My perspective of what is best for students will not always be the same as everyone.  To help me to maintain my passion for education and stay patient with others, I am taking the #LeadLAP challenge and committing to the following:

• Building  relationships and trust

• Listening actively to what students and teachers  need while being the guide on the side in order to help magic happen in classrooms and out.
• Using ANCHOR conversations.
• Being visible and enthusiastic
• Taking care of myself.

I hope to do all this while staying true to the district mission and the passions that drive me.​

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