This school year has been more unique than any other in my career. My daughter is now one of my students.
Father and Daughter
Trying to distinguish between these two roles has proven to be more difficult than I could have imagined.
Last semester, one of my students who demands too much of time for disciplinary issues crossed a line. While exiting the building in an angry fit, the student kicked my daughter’s books and backpack down the hallway. This angered me, but I trusted the teachers and our associate principal to handle the situation appropriately and they did.
Only a few short weeks later, the same situation reared its head with the exception being an escalation from books and bags to the kicking of a locker near my daughter’s head and the destruction of her personal belongings.
Moments later my daughter met me outside as she waited for my wife to pick her up. My daughter, Cassidy shared the most recent events with me and as she finished I spotted the bully. I couldn’t wait for the associate principal or other staff members to intercede on my behalf. I confronted the bully to defend my daughter, but my principal hat blew off in the wind.
The lesson I learned was valuable. I learned that I can be an effective principal and still be a loving father. I hope my daughter also learned that her father will defend her honor as much as required. I was also reminded that some things must be confronted as a leader.
A friend of mine, Stosh, authors another blog about leadership. In one of his posts he wrote leaders are often the people willing to do the things that others leave alone.
On occasion, some poor practices are allowed to take place in schools. Many people know about the poor practice and allow it to continue. It is easier to ignore it than confront it. Correcting these poor practices is not the responsibility of the principal, but all stakeholders that observe it and know that something better can be done.
During your next staff meeting, take time to create a list of non-negotiable items. Don’t make it too long, two to three will suffice. Build momentum with those items and tackle larger obstacles as a unified, caring group in the future.
As the principal, I will not allow my daughters confidence to be compromised under my watch. I will also confront poor educational practices in a professional way with tact and care.
Will you join me?
You make several good points. As administrators it is our duty to do what is right no matter what. We must also remind everyone in our buildings that this is not just the administrators task, it is their job too. A lot of times people don’t want to pick up one end of the stick because this will also requires them to pick up the other end as well. But if the adults in our schools see something being done that is wrong and fail to act they are in essence giving it permission and over time this type of behavior can wear away the moral fabric of a schools climate and culture.
It is our job as administrators to ensure that people will do what is right, even when it is much easier to turn a blind eye. To drive home this point I often ask my teachers what they would expect their child’s teacher to do in a similar situation. We must help them remember that every student is their student, whether they teach them directly or not. Great post.
Good morning Adam,
Thank you for your dedication to education and your commitment to share your journey with us. Keep honing your craft and we’ll find you on the circuit yet.
With regards to your post, allow me to add one thing: I am often led by those whose intentions and abilities surpass my own.
In other words, when I know that the person leading has a good heart, their intentions are pure, and especially, that the person actually has the ability and willingness to follow through on the vision they have casted… I am much more willing to accept that goal as my own.
I am trusting that the goals and visions you have shared with me are real… therefore, I’m willing to throw in my lot and help with the heavy lifting.
So, what’s next?
Very powerful post.
I love the sharing of a very personal yet professional moment in leadership and the call to action you issued to your peers and community.
Great job Adam.
I am excited to come and lend a hand next week!