Servant Leadership

Leadership can be a very tricky thing. As a first year principal, I often find myself humbled that I am in this position. What an amazing opportunity I have to be the voice for staff, parents, and students. Every day, I get to try to make a difference and that makes me feel pretty damn lucky. 

However, some days aren't always rainbows and butterflies. Some days are plain tough! Especially when I have to make a tough decision that may not sit well with my staff and I have to ask myself some questions:

• What is my role?
• What is my purpose?
• How do I find that balance between all the stakeholders? 

The answers don't ever feel easy, but they aren't that hard to find if we are asking ourselves the right questions:

• What is best for the student?
• What will help the student do better the next time?
• What will change the tide for that student?

Having a staff that comes together to find ways to make it all about the kids is one of my best resources! When I pull together a team to help problem solve the needs of a particular student, it's a beautiful thing. The most productive time a staff can spend together is when they are working hard to find the answers to help a student succeed. It's in those moments that our purpose becomes clear. It's in those moments where we forget all about 'me' or 'we' and it becomes all about them. 

At the end of those imperfect days, I can rest easy knowing that we did what was in the best interest of the child because we put the child first.