The Thanksgiving Meal
Over the next few weeks, families will gather around the dining room table to celebrate a delicious Thanksgiving meal. We will enjoy turkey, mashed potatoes, and mac & cheese with family and friends and laugh about the Dallas Cowboys' current struggle. I hope we avoid politics.
Knowing this, I share this scenario with my faculty around the holidays and encourage leaders to do the same. Here is what we talk about.
Someone at the dining room table or holiday parity isn’t going to be in education. They will ask you, ”What is it like to be a teacher, coach, assistant principal, or principal these days?”
They will smile at you with a slightly sarcastic smile. In their mind, they only know the negative narrative we see on social media or the evening news. They feel that schools are failing, students don’t care, or parents are no longer willing to partner with the school systems. They might read on social media about educators sharing just how difficult the job is.
As educators, we know that our job is difficult. But we also know we are privileged to work with America's youth. We know that future doctors, government leaders, teachers, and the next president are in our school systems.
So, when posed with that question, I ask that you pause for a moment. Think about one student that makes you laugh and smile or that you are proud of because of what they have overcome. As that person comes to your mind, I want you to smile back at that person.
Then, share a personal story of a student who has made your year so special. I encourage you to go on and on about how they work hard every day, have overcome adversity, or are planning on attending a fantastic university next year. Please continue to share the outstanding qualities of this student's friends. Continue to share that this student can make you laugh or pick you up when you are down. Please share stories of student kindness, empathy, and global awareness.
After you are done, watch how the person who asked you the question reacts. Are they tongue-tied? They probably won’t know how to respond.
As educators, we need to control the narrative. We have to share the stories that we see every day. We have to be our profession’s biggest advocate and cheerleader. We must shout the positives so loud that they drown out the negatives.
Does that mean being an educator is easy? Absolutely not. But I challenge you to focus and share the positives with anyone who asks over the next few weeks. I ask that your social media postings reflect this, too.
Lastly, if you need to vent, social media isn’t the place for this. Find a friend, walk with them, and you will feel better afterward.
I’m proud to be an educator. I have the privilege of working with amazing educators, counselors, and assistant principals. Each day, I interact with awesome students who will one day change the world. Our parents still value what we do and are always willing to help. Let this be the narrative that we share!
Happy Thanksgiving.
You can pick up my latest book, The Blueprint, here or on Amazon.