Upon completing my coursework for Educational Leadership (shout out to UCAPP's East 25), our mentor distributed an artistic, wire-woven, giraffe. She explained that we should be willing to "stick our necks out." As I work on updating my resume, her symbol and words are more than appropriate.
Last summer I put my neck out more times than I want to remember, seeking to land that first position as a Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, or Principal. I failed to even get an interview with 70%. With 15% of the schools, I had one interview and wasn't moved forward. The other 15% actually were obvious learning experience as I moved on to multiple interviews. In the end, I returned to the classroom feeling more dejected than I ought to considering how I am regularly championing the idea that failure is okay. I say it to my students. I say it to my children: "Be kind, compassionate, polite. Work hard. Take risks." Now, as the application season opens for business, I am forced to reflect on the risks, and whether sticking my neck out helped me to grow in this profession I love. Takeaway 1: Mastery Based Learning is worth the effort because, and this can be tough, it is more about the students than the adult. I can't say I have mastered MBL, but I definitely waded into the waters and flopped around a bit. Now when interviewing, I will be able to speak to MBL through the lens of experience and not simply as philosophy. Takeaway 2: For a school to be successful, teacher leaders are essential. One of my weaknesses has been that I can be too "in my own head". This can lead to doing things for or to people instead of with them. I have had the chance to lead Restorative Practices in my classroom. Each session starts with a circle, much like you would find in a Responsive Classroom. As the school begins to roll the practice out to the whole group, I can say that I have been a part of helping the Principal go about change in a thoughtful, grass-roots, manner. When I get that first building leadership position, I will remember the impact of allowing teachers to lead change. Takeaway 3: Growth can happen only when we are willing to learn. In all honesty, I was not happy about so much rejection. But when my 10 year old daughter failed to make a team she was passionate about making, she explained that she was sad, but knew what she needed to improve at for the next time. She made a plan. She also added, "Dad, it's kind of like you not getting a principal job. You just have to keep believing." In the final analysis, I am ready to stick my neck out again.
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July 2018
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