All I Really Need to Know I Learned FROM a Kindergarten Student

I always look forward to the start of the new school year for several reasons, but the most paramount reason is that I get to visit schools and classrooms. The energy and excitement observed helps to keep me grounded in my purpose as an educator - To Serve! 

Each year, I am more amazed by all that our teachers do to promote creativity in their classroom. The walls are covered with positive quotes and interactive lessons. The student seating is organized in work stations and furniture is flexible. Students are welcomed at the door with a personalized greeting. And so much more.

All of these observations and one particular interaction is what motivated me to share this blog.

As I entered and signed in at one of our elementary schools, I was greeted by very welcoming office staff and immediately the principal, Mary, volunteered to walk around with me.  Now, this is not necessary, but it is nice to have the opportunity to walk and talk with the building leader.  After stopping into a few classrooms, we made our final stop in a Kindergarten classroom.  The first few days of the new school year are always fun but even more so in a Kindergarten classroom.  Quite frankly, I'm not sure how our teachers do it with 25 little ones all in the same room together, but they do.  Although, I suppose that as a former high school teacher, some of our Kindergarten teachers may say the same thing to me.

Mary introduced me to one particular kindergarten student, Grant. Grant had already met Mary earlier in the day, and she had learned very quickly about his interest in rocks, yes, rocks. You see, Grant already has a large collection of rocks and not only does he have a collection, he knows the identification of each. As Mary and Grant went on their walk around the playground, Grant began picking up rocks, looking at Mary and saying, "Did you know this is an igneous rock, this is shale and this is a metamorphic rock?"

I so enjoyed being in the moment with Grant, a kindergarten student, as I listened to him share his passion. I couldn't help but think of the immediate relationship Mary was able to build by just taking the time to allow Grant to pick up a few rocks on the playground. When Grant was done sharing his collection with me, I asked him if he had ever heard of a Petosky Stone. With much excitement and curiosity, Grant said, "No, what is it? I'd like to learn more." So, as the story goes, I shared my knowledge of the Petosky Stone (rock and fossil) and promised him I would send him one. Now, when you tell a kindergarten student you are going to send him something they are super passionate about, you better remember to do it. Yes, I wrote it on my hand, made a mental note and added it to my to-do list on my phone.  

I think Grant was grateful, don't you?  

As I was driving back to the District Office, I thought to myself, 

"All I Ever Really Need to Know, I Just Learned FROM a Kindergarten Student."  

1.  Make Time for the Things You Love
We all have things that bring us joy, but how often do we take the time to live in those moments of joy. It might be as simple as a rock collection, but my time with Grant helped me to realize the importance of these moments in my own life. Really, days are just a series of moments so let's make the most of those moments and make the time for the things we love.

2.  Share your Passion with Others
What if Mary hadn't taken Grant on a walk around the playground?  
What if Grant hadn't shared his rock collection with me?  
What if I hadn't taken the time to make school visits?  
Sure, life would have gone on, but I can guarantee you my day would not have been as meaningful.  We all need to feel valued and Grant certainly did this for me. Sharing your passions brings people together and makes life more meaningful. Take the time to make this happen not just for you, but for others.  If you allow your passion to become your purpose, it may someday become your profession.  Who knows, Grant may grow up to be a geologist.

3.  Show Gratitude
Grant has no idea what he did for me on this day and even more so when I received his video the next day. His expression and words of gratitude have given me the "fire in my belly" for another school year. Show gratitude for others, it matters!

I will never look at a rock the same way again. Thanks for bringing joy to my heart, Grant!

Getting Comfortable with the Uncomfortable...CHANGE!

Better Safe Than Sorry

 - OR - 

Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained

Where do you align with these two philosophies? 

Certainly this can be situational and in all honesty, that is probably the smartest way to consider your alignment.  However, we all know that change is really our only constant in life, yet most would say that it creates much unrest for us.  Most of us would admit to not liking change, yet we don't want to stay the same.  So how do we develop our mindset to see change as an opportunity for growth...an opportunity to build trust with others, an opportunity to work through conflict, an opportunity to invest in and commit to the work, an opportunity to hold ourselves and others accountable and ultimately, an opportunity to achieve the desired results?


Think about how one or all three of these strategies may help you and/or others become comfortable with the uncomfortable...Change!

1. Be Prepared
While change is uncomfortable, we tend to feel better about any change when we are prepared.  The key to preparation is ownership.  We must own our preparedness.  This means we must remove ourselves from the mindset of, "Nobody told me or I wasn't invited to that meeting..."   We must believe in positive intentions and know that if we were left out of the conversation or communication, it's only because change can happen quickly.   Get involved, cultivate your communication skills and strengths, and start talking with and learning from those who are directly involved in the change.     


2. Listen to Self and Others
Listen to understand while also taking the time to reflect and ask questions to gain understanding and clarity.  If change is going to be effective, we must have a platform to listen and learn from others, while ensuring our voice is heard and validated.  Trust is the foundation of any team and will grow when we feel emotionally safe during these conversations.  Even if your idea is not incorporated into the plan, it's important that you were heard.  Listen to understand, reflect and be vulnerable.  Working through change is truly about building your own self-awareness and emotional intelligence.  Work to better understand the feelings of others by getting in touch with your own emotional intelligence.


3. Commit to Doing the Work
Get on board and be a part of the Change!
We know that change is happening and will continue to happen and while we may not be able to control the change, we can control our attitudes and behaviors.  It's all about controlling our mindset, reframing our responses, and committing to the work.  Stay the course, assume positive intent, and remember that we are all on the same team.