Weekly Reflections: We Cannot allow average to become our standard.

I am excited to jump into Jimmy Casas book Cutlturize. It is an easy read that challenges all of us to think about how we are cultivating a community of learners to care, be kind, honest, and act compassionately towards each other. I say this too as we are now experiencing the effects of yet another school shooting that is impacting our nation and spurring countless debates on social media. I'm wondering if part of the problem is that we have allowed mediocrity to predominately take root in our schools; we have educational institutions that that lack compassion and do not provide hope for ALL kids.

I have finished up Chapter 1: Just Talk to Me and here are some of my favorite quotes and takeaways.

"No one person is responsible for determining your success or failure but you, and no one is responsible for your morale but you."

This quote was a tough pill for me to swallow, but after reflecting on this, I have to agree with Jimmy here. I do think it is easy to blame those who are above us for the woes in which we feel and face. The work of an educator is very daunting work, but it also is the most significant gift we offer humanity. We must choose to be that gift every day because it is our responsibility to serve our kids and give them hope. Each one of us has the capacity to lead.

"We may not get to decide which kids to serve, but we do get to decide the kind of climate in which we want to serve them."

We as public school educators know this truth all too well. We don't get to choose who comes through our doors and into our classrooms, but we can damn sure make sure that we create a culture that is welcoming and student-centered. I love how Jimmy Casas challenges us to find where average exists, and that as leaders we must change it not manage it. He does warn us though, that by challenging the status quo we can drain our energy, increase our stress levels, and even affect our sense of purpose, but we must remain vigilant.

Chapter 1 ends with four core principles of positive school cultures: 1. Be a Champion for ALL Students 2. Expect Excellence from one another and our students 3. Carry the banner for our schools in positive light 4. Be a Merchant of Hope.

" We are blessed every day with the opportunity to help change the course of someone's life with our words, our actions, and our belief in their abilities. By changing our perspectives, we can change lives." Be that gift. Be that blessing.

Questions I'm currently reflecting on:

Where does average currently exist in our schools, district, in myself?

What am I doing about it?

What would I do differently if I were not afraid? What is keeping me from going for it?