#CelebrateMonday
April 23, 2018
You can choose to make today a beautiful day for you and for your students! Remember that so many of them came to school today waiting to be loved and cared for by you and your amazing staffs! If that isn't an awesome reason to feel good today - I don't know what is (except maybe also the fact that warmer weather is on the horizon!).
We have amazing teachers in our district who are incredible and eager learners. But sometimes, despite the fact that they go out and get that new learning, we do not see a transfer to or a transformation within their classrooms.
And I think that sometimes that is a result of exactly what Jimmy Casas shared: what we model is what we get.
Are we, as leaders, going out to get the new learning?
Are we, as leaders, bringing that learning back and transforming our own practices?
Are we willing to take the risk to try something new? Or do we give into the fear that it might not work out how we planned, and so instead of trying, we give up altogether?
It's called Ten Meter Tower. Take a few minutes to watch it (it's about 16 minutes - but it is worth it). As you watch, reflect on the different ways that the people in the film deal with this potential risk-taking opportunity.
Each person in this film confronted and worked through his or her fear in different ways. Some gave themselves lots of positive self-talk to get through. Some completely abandoned the possibility of the new adventure that was right in front of them. Some had brought along a friend for encouragement. Some were so crippled by fear that their knees buckled. Some took a deep breath and went for it. And some had a strong and brave model who went before them and showed them that the fear could be overcome and that the reward was worth it.
But the time is now. The limitations that we think are there exist only in our heads. We CAN do this!
And remember that your jump doesn't have to be from a ten meter tower - it can be whatever risk you want to take (even the really small ones)!
Take a deep breath, give yourself some positive self talk (or call me or one of your colleagues and we'll give you some), and jump! That's guaranteed to make this the best Monday of the week!