Next year's word is relationship. It's not that I haven't focused on this before, but I want to truly invest in this one word next year and I want to do this with reverence--reverence for each life that I touch and work/live with.
Reverence is a deep level of respect, one that inspires you to look deeply at the people, places, and events around you. Questions like these lead us to deeper and better relationships and reverence: What's happening? Why is this happening? How can I understand these events with empathy? How can I support the people, places, and events around me?
These words, relationship and reverence, will be a rich foundation for so many reasons:
Teamwork
I work with a dynamic grade-level team, one where positive relationships have set the stage for wonderful teaching and learning.
Servant/Partner Leadership
To partner with and serve students and their families is the center of the work we do together.
Distributive Leadership
Our system leadership's focus on developing teacher leadership and growing circles of leadership rather than a strict top-down hierarchy is an opportunity to build a respectful teaching/learning community.
A Dynamic School
At all times, there is so much positivity at our school--staying aware and observant of all that good work supports that positive endeavor and mentors me about what's possible too.
Friendship and Fun
To befriend each other and have fun is an essential part of strong relationships and reverence.
Good Work
Good work builds positive relationships and reverence. Keeping a focus on promoting good, meaningful, and memorable work is a positive way to achieve strength as a teaching/learning team.
These themes will take center stage in the days and year ahead. Onward.
