When I was still a teacher, many years ago, there was a book series for students where they could choose "their own adventure". Readers would read to a certain point and then depending on what they thought the protagonist should do, they would skip ahead to certain pages and continue reading. I remember them being wildly popular for some of my most voracious readers.
My mind has been skipping back to thoughts of this series as I process recent conversations with colleagues in district and beyond. Some of these conversations are sound bytes from my current role and some are sound bytes from networking sessions outside my formal role. In some ways, the words blend together as I think about the collective work "of school" and evaluate my own contributions within.
In my mind, I see our protagonist as the school leader, district leader, or even a teacher. Someone who is juggling way too much on one plate and works desperately to keep children at the center of the decisions. This main character reminds himself (herself) of their why each and every day while overcoming barriers of great depth.
Our main character is given the opportunity to choose their mindset's path by choosing one of two responses:
Choice A: We can do better and will.
Choice B: I don't know what else to do.
Within those responses, we can almost predict details of the path that is set before the leader or teacher. Choice A invokes images of hope, resiliency, and determination. Choice B, while brave in it's admission of needing help, suggests less hope, less resiliency and less determination. Choice B suggests status quo is enough. Choice B suggests we can't beat the odds before us. It tells us we won't...that is, if we aren't willing to accept the help to try again.
Which choice will write a better story?
Which choice will get us closer to what our students need?
My mind has been skipping back to thoughts of this series as I process recent conversations with colleagues in district and beyond. Some of these conversations are sound bytes from my current role and some are sound bytes from networking sessions outside my formal role. In some ways, the words blend together as I think about the collective work "of school" and evaluate my own contributions within.
In my mind, I see our protagonist as the school leader, district leader, or even a teacher. Someone who is juggling way too much on one plate and works desperately to keep children at the center of the decisions. This main character reminds himself (herself) of their why each and every day while overcoming barriers of great depth.
Our main character is given the opportunity to choose their mindset's path by choosing one of two responses:
Choice A: We can do better and will.
Choice B: I don't know what else to do.
Within those responses, we can almost predict details of the path that is set before the leader or teacher. Choice A invokes images of hope, resiliency, and determination. Choice B, while brave in it's admission of needing help, suggests less hope, less resiliency and less determination. Choice B suggests status quo is enough. Choice B suggests we can't beat the odds before us. It tells us we won't...that is, if we aren't willing to accept the help to try again.
Which choice will write a better story?
Which choice will get us closer to what our students need?
"Now Sister...you know what's right. Just do right.
Right may not be expedient, it may not be profitable, but it will satisfy your soul...
and it can be better, and it must be better, but it is up to us."
Here's to reminding myself that Choice A will always be the better pick.
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