As I begin writing this message, the sun is pouring in through the windows at this Starbucks. It isn’t too bright, presenting itself in individual soft rays and beams – you know, the kind you can see little particles floating in. Along with the baby blue pullover I decided to wear this morning and the blooms on the five Yoshino Cherry Trees in my front yard, this light is a reminder that spring has arrived, and I believe it’s going to be a great day.
Aside – If you didn’t know, the first official day of spring came early last week on March 19.
Spring brings a great deal of goodness to schools if we are willing to look for it. The days are longer and, more importantly, warmer. And, like the changing of the season, our schools come alive with everything from festivals and prom to spring sports and awards ceremonies. It all culminates in the most wonderful day of the year: Graduation.
And yet, that’s not always what we focus on as we enter spring. Sometimes, we’re tempted to think of the often long stretches between breaks, anxiety from parents, and increased student behavior. The days, it seems, aren’t just longer in terms of time, but also in terms of work.
My point in all this comes down to our answers to the following questions: What are our expectations for this spring? Are we focusing on all the opportunities it brings or all the challenges often associated with it? Are we reminding our staff of the hope they have to help students achieve more by the end of the school year, or have we given in to the idea that most of the year is over and there’s not much left to do other than react and close it out?
Our answers to these questions reveal our expectations. Our expectations often have a far greater impact on what we get from life – from ourselves, our relationships, our experiences, and, yes, our work – than we are willing to admit.
In closing, I’d like to remind us of a thought from Henry Ford, originally inspired by Confucius: “Those who believe they can and those who believe they can’t are both usually right.” He reminds us that greatness begins with a choice.
Are your expectations for this spring as great as your staff and students deserve them to be?
#ChooseToBeGreat
Angelo
CHOOSE TO BE GREAT 