You Really Do Matter

I said I would reflect on my learning as a new principal but I had the opportunity to visit with a few staff and students from the school where I taught grade 4. What a feeling to be greeted by so many students all wanting to talk to you at the same time. It made me think why do they think I am so important? I struggle with the word important but you get the point. I think the bottom line isn't why bt the fact that they do and the importance that I perhaps had to them when I was there. What do I want to say... that teachers are important and very often we get caught up in the work and everything else that happens that isn't fun about our job and in the end students think that their classroom teacher is the best and that teachers do matter in the life and culture of the building. As an administrator remembering this little bit of information is important becaue it is also how I can add to the culture of our building and make it a safe and inviting place for students. In the end what do we want our building to be about .. and if it is fun, safe, and inviting learning can take place with more ease and excitement.

Communication

Over the past few days I have been spending a lot of time meeting with different staff dealing with issues arising in our school. At the end of it all I appreciate the communication that goes on. It makes it easier to work through difficult situations and helps staff work effectively to solve any problems that may be going on. If communication does not exist then we are left wondering what everyone else is thinking and mis-communication begins to show. My belief is that if we can all talk to each other without fear that we are being judged then everyone is included and valued in the processes that happen in our building. Do they get to make all the decisions, not necessarily but it makes my job easier when I understand what everyone else thinks as well.

Another Week Goes By

Another week has passed and if it was four days it didn't feel that way. Really it wasn't four days but three. A storm day and report writing made for a short contact week. There are always new challenges that come up and I think I am on top of things but something that I have felt before I started was the importance of working together. To do everything by myself isn't possible and why would I. I have an excellent team to work with, each with their own ideas and ways of doing things. We each bring our strengths and that is what makes things move smoothly each day. We have bumps in the road, the same as everyone else, but having a common belief in what our school is about really makes things work. This is only the second building I have worked in but have felt the same thing in both buildings. When everyone has the same belief, or is willing to work toward the same goals in a building, you are able to get a lot accomplished and people who come into our school feel it as well.