A matter of “principal”

Sometimes we get so caught up in our world, our classroom, our family, our lives, that we forget to see others around us. This couldn’t be truer for myself especially. The busier I get the more dominate my tunnel vision becomes.

An example of this was during training for my 3-month trip overseas to India. We had to undergo a mock mission trip which consisted of camping out in the elements, group games and team building projects, to name a few. One such game was a 3-legged race of sorts with groups of 6 to 7 people, which got interesting. During this race we met a slight challenge. One of our teammates had a pretty severe shortage of coordination. And when I say severe, I mean we couldn’t take a step without her falling.

While everyone loved this team player, we struggled to stay standing let alone finish the race. We all stumbled several times, each of us falling like a chain of dominoes all the way down the line. This teammate became increasingly angry with each attempt and failure to remain standing. As comical as this sounds, it was a tense situation. Eventually, this team player begged us to go on without her. But we refused.

After many attempts to get synchronized we finally decided to carry the weight of our teammate until we made it to the finish line. It was a team effort for sure. With each stumble the team took, it became more solidified in my mind that we were only as strong as our weakest link and being a team meant we could not leave one of our own on the field. We were tied together for better or worse. If I failed, everyone failed. If one of our teammates went down EVERYONE went down. We were not only united in our successes, but we were united in our failures as well. In the end, this meant that we had to work together to make up the deficits just to get to the finish line together in one piece.

Since this moment, that day’s experience has translated into every area of my life including my classroom. My first year in Fayette County was one such translation in particular. A student’s family was called into the school to address their daughter’s behavior. This student was brilliant and a potential straight A student (and probably was in every class). She could also socialize and keep up with her work at the same time. The problem was the rest of the class couldn’t. At the moment, this bright and capable young lady was the class ringleader of a problematic attitude growing in the class. While it was easy to understand that she was looking for the approval of her classmates over her teacher’s, the issue escalated to a point of disciplinary action.

Sitting in the office, with the principal and the parents, it was easy to see that this young lady had a stable and supportive family, who loved their daughter greatly. While they did not condone her behavior which they were called upon to address, they respectfully asked the principal to remove the punishment that had been given. They made a very humble and solid argument for the sake of their daughter. So solid in fact that it would have been easy for me personally to fold like a lawn chair and let the matter go. My principal kindly expressed that he respected the plea for their daughter, but he had to stick to his guns on this issue and level of behavior. This issue was not a matter of whether or not their daughter was a good student, but the issue at hand was that she learns the lesson brought to the table.

The backbone that it took to stand firm in the face of a genuine and humble request surprised me. (This really was an upstanding and reputable family, hardworking, and respectable.) They had clearly instructed their daughter right from wrong, along with a value for education. However, what they did not have was the view of what had transpired during my class. The lesson needed to be learned and followed through on.

The bottom line: I needed backed up.

My principal at this time, could have easily backed down and caved, liked I felt compelled to do. But he stood firm and explained to the parents that this was for the better of the whole of their daughter’s education.

Once he finished making his statement, I addressed this exceptionally bright young lady. We came to terms that the next time she came back to my classroom neither of us would hold anything against one another. It was to be a “clean slate.” I made my absolute best effort to encourage this student and parents both that we were on the same side.

When the meeting was over, the principal popped into my room unexpectedly. “Hey Ms. Shoemaker, good job,” he said matter-of-factly. “Thank you,” I replied.

“Hey, Ms. Shoemaker?” he called out with unexpected pep in his voice. “Did I do a good job?” he asked with a just a hint of pride.

“Yes sir, you did a good job.” I couldn’t help but smile.

He then confided, “Well, sometimes principals need to hear we do something good too.”

This honest and vulnerable confession struck me like a ton of bricks. My principal needed my support as much as I needed his. How could I expect to be supported by my principal, every time I need him, if I’m not willing to support him?

Yes, sometimes our principal needs to hear an “atta-boy” too. To make it through the battles that we face, it will require us to think, act and move as a team. We can’t be classroom hero’s and win the fight. If my coworker is struggling, I’m struggling. If my principal is struggling, I’m struggling. We will succeed together or fail together. And sometimes your principal needs backed up too. My battle is your battle. Your battle is mine. At the end of the day, it’s the principal of the thing: we need each other.

Thanks for reading todays blog. Remember to appreciate and support your principal today!

Leave a comment to let us know you appreciate your principal.