As a principal, each year I try to choose a theme or focus to guide our work through the year. Last year we focused on our why and made connections through teaching and learning. This year, as I thought about how to present our school data, I wanted to be mindful to celebrate our growth, while also using the data to inform our next steps. As spring turned into summer, my mind flipped through different ideas, until I landed on “opening doors.”
This past summer I traveled to different locations across the country from locally to the east and west coasts. Typically I have grand notions of running while on vacation and honestly I never do. I pack my running clothes, sneakers, and everything one would need for a good run. This summer was different, I actually ran. And that’s when it hit me. As I ran, I started to notice doors on new and old buildings, on houses, on apartments, on barns, on offices and businesses, on abandon houses, on trailers and cars. As I became overtly in tune to the doors I started to wonder, what stories lie behind them? Are there school age scholars? Do they have their basic needs met? Do they like school? What are their hopes and dreams? What support do they get from their family? Do they live with both of their parents? Are they safe?
Mile after mile I noticed doors. To tell our story and help teachers understand what each of our scholars face each day, I took pictures. All of the doors were beautiful and had a unique story, some presented more opportunities than others. One door was chained and padlocked closed. I wondered what had happened. I wondered if everyone was safe. Another door was shiny and orange, neat and tidy. I wondered if everyone was safe? Door after door, I wondered about the stories, about the scholars and families that live there.
Using these pictures, my staff and I have started dialogue around opening doors for every one of our scholars. Every year we make a promise to our parents and families to provide for and help support every scholar. This year we are doing everything possible to open doors for all of our scholars, no matter what. We will look at locked doors as opportunities.
When you face a challenge, do you open or close the door? What would our schools look like if we all committed to opening doors for all scholars no matter what?
Comments 2
Jen, I do the same thing on trips. I always pack work out clothes each time but I never use it!
Last year, I got a puppy. Once he had all of his shots, I began walking him in our neighborhood. I got to see the houses and the people who lived by me. They would begin to say hello and eventually get close enough to pet Brady. Relationships began to form. Prior to Brady, I would drive through my neighborhood in a hurry. Most likely trying to get to wherever I was going in a hurry. Thanks to Brady, I was able to slow down and notice the doors and begin to build relationships with my neighbors.
A theme of the year. Opening doors is a solid place to start. I’m not sure what mine would be. New beginnings is a bit too obvious. I might go with “Integrity” – not so much in the being honest sense, although that’s clearly part of it, but in the complete and well-constructed sense. Thanks for giveing me something to build around.