The Cardinal Way
Sharing the Stories of Southport High School
Leading and Learning: DISTRACTIONS
One last post as I continue to think about distractions that keep us from the real work during this time away from school. As I have pondered about these ideas over the month, I am reminded of a story:
Once there were three bricklayers. Each one of them was asked what they were doing.
The first man answered gruffly, 'I'm laying bricks.'
The second man replied, 'I'm putting up a wall.'
But the third man said enthusiastically and with pride, 'I'm building a cathedral.'
There is also a real-life version (if it actually happened):
President John F. Kennedy was visiting NASA headquarters for the first time, in 1961. While touring the facility, he introduced himself to a janitor who was mopping the floor and asked him what he did at NASA. The janitor replied, "I'm helping put a man on the moon!"
Our jobs may seem mundane on the surface as we sit at home and spend countless hours revamping lessons to fit our new needs while also trying to do our best to connect with students. This type of work could drive most people to despair. We spend countless hours, knowing some students may not even login to complete the task that we have revamped from an incredible in class lesson to a decent virtual one. But, if we place our work in the proper context and understand how this work still contributes to our mission, the job is still rewarding.
The same could be asked of administrators and teachers. If you were asked what you are doing right now, how would you answer? At any point during your current working conditions with colleagues and students, what would you say? Ultimately, what are you trying to accomplish? Why did you choose to be an educator, and are you still living that out daily?
I also read the following message in Brian Kight's Daily Discipline: A theme throughout history, both recent and ancient, is ignoring the signs of change and waiting until it's too late. Kings and queens have done it. Coaches and executives too. Husbands and wives. Young and old. Intellectual and emotional.
You cannot take action in the future. You cannot take action in the past. You can only take action right now. Be in each moment to take action; you can never stop working in the moment, especially when things are so topsy-turvy. The action needed right now may seem very difficult, and honestly, it is. But, we have to understand that it is merely an inconvenience of our current time. It is not permanent. If we stray from our mission now and get bogged down with all the distractions, it will be much harder to recover when things get back to normal. Not adapting to our current circumstances is only easier for now, but “now” never lasts long.
You cannot take action in the future; you cannot take action in the past; you can only take action right now. Be a Cardinal; change lives; put a mission into motion.
Stay safe and take care!!
What it takes to #BeACardinal:
Grateful Friday Challenge
Week 32 Grateful Friday Challenge
Well, here we are. We are ending Week 2, and hopefully ready for Week 3. We have gone through a lot of emotions. We have been nervous, angry, frightened… but now, we are pros; we are in the groove; we are starting to get the hang of this online working business. (Except for our backs, am I right?) We are seeing that we have kids who are engaging, we have colleagues who are collaborating, and we have administrators who are organizing and planning for what is to come next. It took us some time, and we will continue to grow and get better. So, right now -- pat yourself on the back. For one minute, don’t worry about grades, don’t worry about lessons, don’t worry about the students who have still to connect with you, and don’t worry about what comes next. Live in the celebration of what you have done these past two weeks. Be grateful for the kids who are doing work, for the times they have told you how much they miss you, for how much they appreciate what you are doing for them, for the smiles you get when you meet up with them on Zoom or Google Meet. Those are the things worth celebrating. We need to give focus to the positives. We need to show gratitude to those who are supporting us and cheering us on. (And there are a lot of people out there depending on us and wanting us to succeed.)
Today your Grateful Friday Challenge is to send a ParentSquare post, a StudentSquare post, or a personal message or two to anyone who is supporting you and helping you. Or, just take a second to tell the kids who show up for live sessions, or in screencastify notes, how much you appreciate all that they are doing. Spread a little positivity. Feed the fire. Make it grow. We are doing this. We are on fire.
With banners flying as we go! #FlyAsONE
Be a Cardinal; Change lives; Put a mission into motion!
180 Days of Learning -- #CardsLearn
Leah Enterline
Student Leaders
Case Conferences
Tara Foor
School Counselors
Educational Humor
Southport High School
Email: bknight@perryschools.org
Website: http://perryschools.org/sh/
Location: 971 E Banta Rd, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Phone: 317-789-4800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHSCardinals/
Twitter: @SHS_Cardinals