We Are McDougle!
This week was an exciting week for me and a busy one. This was the first week that the staff was back for the new school year. It was also the last week before students are in the building. It is always a busy week with students being enrolled at the last second and students withdrawing. The guidance department and myself are busy trying to make sure everyone is scheduled. There is way too much to do and too little time. Even working extra hours there is not enough time, but I have learned that pushing too much will just wreck my health.
This year is different and that is why it was more exciting. This summer I helped in the interview process to hire our new principal. It was an anxious process because our assistant principal was one of the ones applying for the job. His influence over the last few years had been big and positive change. Our staff really wanted him to get the job to continue the things he helped start. After two rounds of interviews, he was chosen as our principal and that made for a happy staff and community. His attitude is one of empowering and supporting the staff in their gifts and strengths. He has worked hard to hire and support great staff members.
No matter what title we hold, custodian to principal, we are all professionals. But more than that we ALL feel called to education. We are there to make a positive impact on the student’s lives. We realize that our smiles, kind words, listening ears make a huge impact on the kids lives. We realize that that impact is not directly measured by test scores, but it does help. I have seen and learned from my co-workers that helping kids in the middle is a challenging process, but vastly rewarding. Discipline issues all too often spring from frustration in the learning process and hard times at home. I have learned from my co-workers to look deep and listen hard to the kids. We can help prevent the discipline issues by stepping in early and giving them the tools they need to help them learn. Also giving them the tools to stop, thinks and not let the actions of others control them.
One of the cool things we did this year as a staff was a group activity. We watched this great TED talk on Authenticity by Mike Robbins: video . Then we broke in to two large groups and answered the following question: “If you really knew me, you would know that:”. We went around our circles and shared honestly. It might surprise you to know that the majority of our staff, who spend their days talking in front of people, don’t like talking in front of large groups of people. So folks, know that loving teaching does not equal loving public speaking. We also got to hear each other share why we work in education. The reasons vary. Some of us, like myself, enjoy helping and serving people. Some want to help kids navigate the minefield of hormones, relationships, and change that happen during those years. Some were bullied or felt out-of-place in school and want to be the person to help, encourage, and be a voice for kids going through the same things. Many LOVE the subject they teach and want to pass that passion along. Many see the gifts and passions that may be hidden in a student’s life and want to help them blossom.
It was wonderful to see the passion, emotion and authentic from my coworkers. It helped knit us together in a special way. I’ll say it again working in education, no matter your roll, is a calling not a job. Lord knows we don’t do it for the money and the people who don’t have a passion and calling don’t last long.
It has been an exciting time, not just because it is a new school year and fresh start. It is exciting because we are moving forward, trying new things, supporting and encouraging each other, and striving to see the students succeed in school. But most of all the desire to see the students grow and thrive as young adults.
So what did I learn. We are a group with many gifts, abilities, and job titles but, we are one staff. We have one goal, to help the students succeed in life. We Are McDougle!
(Many thanks to The Blend & Co. for providing good coffee & smoothies, but most of all a wonderful environment to create in.)
