Stay Calm

We would like to think that we are at the point of the year where we feel like everything is second nature.

But then the following happens:

Sick kids.

Interim Assessing.

Homecoming.

Conferences.

SLOs.

Crickets.

The littlest thing can sometimes create the biggest disruptions.  I mean, who knew that crickets being smushed in the hall could cause students to fall apart?  

When we met for in-service on Wednesday, I was proud that people are proud of themselves.  I was proud that people were proud of others.  I was proud that people felt comfortable enough with our team to admit they are struggling with students, procedures, curriculum, parents, assessment, time...

What we can glean from these conversations is that nothing can prepare you for what the classroom experience is like.  Each grade is different.  Each child is different.  Each day is different.  Just when we think we have it figured out, something we could not phantom pops up.  There are things that no amount of training can prepare you for.  We can experience joy and fear within minutes of each other.  We may be fearful of changes.  We may be fearful of not knowing what to do.  We may be fearful of difficult things.  We may be fearful of not being successful.  

My advice to you was to be confident...be calm...be firm.  I am going to add another c to that list.  Be calm.  Going into situations with your defenses high and heart rate up can result in your brain thinking too fast.  You may say something or do something that you must clean up later.  Do not be afraid to pause.  Compose yourself and then hit it head-on.  Take the time to pump yourself up to face what is thrown your way.  And when you do it; know that your team is supporting you.

Ted Lasso reminded us to make tough calls.  Do not ignore those things that are tough.  Look for help and know that your decisions may not always equal sunshine and rainbows.

I am going to take a step away from Ted for this lesson to have you listen to another sports great, Ricky Bobby (please note...there is some NSFW language in this clip).

Face the fear.  Be calm.  Tackle the cougar...even if it means ruining your Crystal Gayle shirt.  

You got this.

I believe in believe.

I believe in you.

Nobody is Bigger Than the Team

 WARNING:  Roy says his favorite word a few times in this clip.

Above is one of the scenes we talked about from "Ted Lasso" at our preservice day.  Roy and Ted are drunk and talk about Roy not playing.  It took this talk for Roy to see that sometimes he needed to put the needs of the team ahead of his needs (actually...not his needs, but his ego).  Ted needed Roy to see that it takes working together to make each other better...even those who are the best need others to continue to improve.  

Last week, we saw the importance of the team.  Many of us needed to put our desires on the back burner in order to help the team as a whole find success.  We may have had a plan for what we wanted to do for the day, but after hearing what the team needed, we put that aside and worked for the good of the team.  And boy did we get a lot done.  In the midst of a terrible situation, we pulled together and now are in a much better position than we were at 7:20 that morning.

I must admit, I was hit with an overwhelming feeling of pride when I looked down the hall and saw members of our team putting books in bags, hauling items out of rooms, and helping students move 100 pounds weights.  I had experienced some dark days prior to this and it was at this moment, that I knew it.  I knew that you were my people.  By working together, you are making me a better principal and a better person.

I hope that I am doing the same for you.

I believe in believe.