As you may know, I am currently in an Educational Leadership program. In fact, I’m completing my fourth class of my school building leader program! So far it has been a journey with a supportive cohort and I am so grateful for our community. After a year and change of pandemic teaching it is nice to have some time for relaxation. Although, my program doesn’t break until August, it’s still a break!
So while I am on my “vacation break” I’d like to share some writing with you since it has been so long since I blogged. My summer 2021 goals are to enjoy the sun and ocean, read, write, learn and add a sprinkle of planning for next school year (heavy on the sprinkle). Also, big shout out to all educators, we have survived teaching in a pandemic! (I am going to try to blog once a week this summer, I miss it!) Furthermore, I am so grateful to be able to share my words with you today amidst all that is taking place. Now to share!
One of my assignments from my second class was to write a reflection based off 5 quotes from each of the following domains:
- Vision
- Communication
- Leadership
- Supervision
- Teaching
- Learning
“I am deliberate and afraid of nothing,” Audre Lorde once wrote in The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde. As a future administrator, I find myself in a brave paradigm between revolution and understanding. Meaning, I must be intentional in my leadership to truly support our community and I must not let fear mettle in my mind. Audre Lord’s quote also helps me connect the detailed planning that is done in my teaching craft, that must continue in my administrative role. To continue, I am a public servant and proud to be so because, ”service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth,” (Shirley Chisholm). As I work with teacher leaders and collaborate with other administrators, I hope to help motivate us to “…spark the brain that will change the world,” (Tupac). This is a trying task, and because “our job is too difficult [it then signifies that it is] too beautiful to do alone,” (Amelia Gambetti, Reggio Emilia). Therefore, as a collective of change-makers and peacemakers we, “must learn to organize as effectively as those who love war,” (Martin Luther King Jr.) Now, this organizing does not just come from the thin air but it develops due to a community’s vision.
Oprah Winfrey states, “Create the highest grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe.” Being able to envision what your school needs as an administrator seems like a daunting task but it must be done. “No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities – always see them, for they’re always there,” Norman Vincent Peale. This positive frame of mind must be enforced because the state, the city and the media will often perpetuate a deficit narrative about your school, your teachers/staff and students but creating a vision will be a guiding point to shift any deficit theories that peak through. In my sincere opinion, these visions should reflect the communities needs and culture. Thus, as future administrators it is imperative that we are thinking about and putting into action ideas that allow for us to understand our communities voice. Community building is the key and when our families speak, we must, “…listen completely. Most people never listen,” (Ernest Hemingway). In fact, we must show them how we are listening by the actions we implement after reflecting on what they share. Getting to know our community will also direct us to, “Keep [our] eyes on the stars and [our] feet on the ground,” (Franklin D. Roosevelt. This signifies that we believe in change and act for change, but we make sure we are providing uplifting, realistic communication. As we work with our school communities, “it’s important to make sure that we’re talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds,” (Barack Obama). As we learn from our community and create transformative spaces for all, we want to ensure we are helping our families understand that “a different language is a different vision of life,” (Federico Fellini). This quote holds both literal and metaphorical meaning. On the literal side we ensure that families have equitable access to school instruction and related messages in the languages they speak, read and write. Also, it means that when we speak another language, we are able to understand life in a different way because of the experiences multilingualism allows us to encounter. This relates to the languages we promote in our school community, can the students and families clearly identify the language of power? Or is the language landscape truly equitable? How connected are our families to mathematics and the sciences, do they see this too as a language and another world they deserve to reside in as a mathematician or scientist? The list could continue with being social scientists, techologicalists and more! Therefore, we must capture our student’s engagement and family support to understand these different scopes of our world as a community because “it is through others that we develop into ourselves,” (Lev Vygotsky).
This rapport will take time, Michelle Obama shared, “When somebody walks up to [you], don’t look around, don’t look beyond them. Look them in the eye, take in the story.” In fact, “we have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak,” (Epictetus). It will not always be easy to connect to our communities but we must listen to their stories, we must find ways to hear their needs. “Stories matter. Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign, but stories can also be used to empower and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity,” (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie). Empowering and humanizing our community by bringing in organizations and resources that can benefit their needs will be the root to many children’s success. Although, as Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” We will not always be able to support the families with what they need immediately, but we can treat them with genuine respect and warmth. Then, we work with our teams to continue our vision. As Muhammad Ali said, “Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision.” This further asserts that we will not be able to fulfill our vision just in our school building, but we will have to reach outside of our school building to support all of our families. This will be exciting for me because “… I’m an adventurer, looking for treasure,” (Paulo Coelho). Although, my treasure will be resources to uplift my student’s families and to ensure they have a safe space to learn.
Shirley Chisholm once beamed, “You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” As I continue to support my students during this pandemic, sometimes it’s hard to not complain. Although, I persevere and remind myself that implementing ideas is the most constructive way to support the community. Now more than ever is the time to help our students understand what Chisholm expressed when she stated, ”Don’t listen to those who say YOU CAN’T. Listen to the voice inside yourself that says, I CAN.” One way I support our students with this is through positive affirmations, self esteem building activities and team building games via Zoom or in blended learning. Remember, “play is not frivolous; it is brain building,” (American Academy of Pediatrics). It is important that we give our students opportunities to play or learn through inquiry and remind them that sometimes the struggle is real, but we are problem solvers! “¡Los errores son prueba que estamos tratando! Mistakes are proof that we are trying!” This is a quote we look at daily as well because, “…defeat should not be the source of discouragement, but a stimulus to keep plotting,” (Shirley Chisholm). Using pep talks and positive affirmations really helps my students and needs to be modeled often. During this pandemic, sometimes I even find myself speaking to the students in a higher tone than normal and I truly need to work on not letting the pandemic’s stress influence the way I share with my students. Especially since, “the way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice,” (Peggy O’Mara). That inner voice empowers itself all throughout their educational journey.
When I look at my quotes in learning, I recognize that our current educational system leaves some identities out of the picture. Ta-nehei Coates writes, “I was made for the library, not the classroom. The classroom was the jail of other people’s interests. The library was open, unending, free.” As someone who values the classroom space I teach in very dearly, I still agree and understand Coates’ perspective of the classroom being a jail, closed off to one perspective. Whereas the library, you have access to so many stories! I remember loving school only because I could pick out another book, for another adventure. Many classroom lenses are a bit foggy, or more exclusive than inclusive. It makes me think of the quote that I heard in my undergrad days, “Each student is Indegenous to my classroom.” Now I work really hard to ensure this, but did my students ever feel the way Coates did? How child centered is my teaching during this pandemic? Are the state and city top-down policies I enable as a teacher appropriate to each student in my classroom? Malcolm X stated “education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” This quote is so important to me because it is true, but how do I work to dismantle a system that has proven not to educate all of its citizens? This must be through reimagining and recreating, like JK Rowling stated, “We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.” Thus, collaborating with grassroots organizations in our communities can create a catalyst for imagined change.
Youth activist Malala shares, “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” This is so true because as a school we had been participating in the National Black Lives Matter Action Week and Months for the past four years and now with many individual schools starting it up, for the first time EVER we have received support from the city! Therefore, if more of the top down policies put racial equity on their list, then restorative programs can be developed and/or empowered to help the most marginalized communities. One way our school is focusing on this is through our Anti-Racist Teaching and Learning PD sessions. We are watching the PBS Anti-Racist tool kit videos, having communal dialogues and collaborating to revise and recreate all of our units. As of now our informational units are all around civic engagement, activism and Black Lives Matter. Our administration has equipped us with many training and professional developments around racial and social justice equity, therefore I must learn how to do this for my future colleagues. I also feel like I need to know educational law and policies to ensure I protect my teachers, students and staff. To conclude, our task is to teach our students that, “You are powerful and your voice matters. You’re going to walk into many rooms in your life and career where you may be the only one who looks like you or who has had the experiences you’ve had. But you remember that when you are in those rooms, you are not alone. We are all in that room with you applauding you on. Cheering your voice. And just so proud of you. So you use that voice and be strong,” (Kamala Harris). Social emotional support will be vital for students to understand and act on Madame Vice President’s quote. Supporting our students to take ownership of their education is a challenging task, but now I must think deeply about how to help my colleagues use their voices to embolden and support their learners. I’m ready to start this journey even if it seems daunting, especially as Shirley Chisholm’s powerful words ring in my ear, ”If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” You see, “Education can’t save us. We have to save Education,” (Dr. Bettina Love). I’m showing up, I’m listening, I’m present and ready to act.
My Chosen Quotes by Domain
Vision
“Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision.” Muhammad Ali
“Create the highest grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe.” Oprah Winfrey
Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt
No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities – always see them, for they’re always there.” Norman Vincent Peale
A philosophy of life: I’m an adventurer, looking for treasure.” — Paulo Coelho, 21st century Brazilian writer
Communication
“A different language is a different vision of life.” – Federico Fellini
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”- Epictetus
“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.”– Ernest Hemingway
“It’s important to make sure that we’re talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds.” ― Barack Obama
“The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.” ― Peggy O’Mara
Leadership
“Education can’t save us. We have to save Education,” (Dr. Bettina Love)
”If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” – Shirley Chisholm
“When somebody walks up to me, don’t look around, don’t look beyond them. Look them in the eye, take in the story,” Michelle Obama
“Our job is too difficult and too beautiful to do alone.” -Amelia Gambetti, Reggio Emilia.
“We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.” – J.K. Rowling
Supervision
”Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” – Shirley Chisholm
Stories matter. Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign, but stories can also be used to empower and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity. – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I’m not saying I’m gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world. Tupac
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
“Those who love peace must learn to organize as effectively as those who love war.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.
Teaching
“I am deliberate and afraid of nothing,” Audre Lorde wrote in The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde.
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”. Malcolm X
You are powerful and your voice matters,” Harris told Marie Claire. “You’re going to walk into many rooms in your life and career where you may be the only one who looks like you or who has had the experiences you’ve had. But you remember that when you are in those rooms, you are not alone. We are all in that room with you applauding you on. Cheering your voice. And just so proud of you. So you use that voice and be strong.”
“it is through others that we develop into ourselves” by Lev Vygotsky
“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” – Malala Yousafzai
Learning
”You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” – Shirley Chisholm
”Don’t listen to those who say YOU CAN’T. Listen to the voice inside yourself that says, I CAN.” – Shirley Chisholm
-”Defeat should not be the source of discouragement, but a stimulus to keep plotting.” – Shirley Chisholm
“I was made for the library, not the classroom. The classroom was the jail of other people’s interests. The library was open, unending, free.” Ta-nehisi Coates
“Play is not frivolous; it is brain building.” ~ American Academy of Pediatrics
Which quotes would you have chosen? Jot them below in the comments!
Life as Dalila 