The Gift of Understanding

All that we are is story. From the time we are born, to the time we continue on our spirit journey, we are involved in the creation of the story of our time here. It is what we arrive with. It is all we leave behind. We are not the things we accumulate. We are not the things we deem important. We are story. All of us. What come to matter then is the creation of the best possible story we can while we're here; you, me, us, together. When we can do that, we take the time to share those stories, we get bigger on the inside, we see each other, we recognize our kinship-- we change the world, one story at a time. 
--Richard Wagamese

In the midst of busy days and numerous demands on our time and energy, it is easy to lose sight of this simple, yet powerful message. Each of us has a story, a context, that we carry with us through our day. We come into contact with numerous individuals throughout the course of our day-- at the drive-through picking up our morning coffee, at the grocery store, at the gas station on our way home from work. It's easy to fall into a familiar routine, to be weighed down by the responsibilities and pressures that bombard us. 

But I would suggest that it's equally as easy to take a moment to smile at a stranger, to hold a door open, to say thank-you, to let someone ahead of us in line. 

This holiday season, let's take a moment to see each other, to recognize our kinship, to learn each others' stories and exchange the gift of kindness and understanding. 

Wishing everyone a wonderful winter holiday! 

Navigating Negativity: Five Steps to Strength-Based Leadership

People don't typically don't come to me when things are going well.

This isn't a complaint. It's the reality of the life of a school administrator. We are the problem solvers, the peace keepers, the crisis responders. On any given day, I will usher crying students, angry parents and frustrated teachers across the threshold of my office. As I walk the hallways at break and lunch, I am bombarded by questions and queries, complaints and conflicts. When my email dings or my phone rings at eleven o'clock at night, it's rarely good news. 

So in the midst of what can sometimes feel like a sea of negativity, it is even more essential that I maintain a positive mindset and strength-based approach to leadership. 

I have developed the following strategies to assist me in this approach:

1. Start with relationships. Relationships form the foundation for any successful organization. Students and staff need to feel connected and cared for. As such, leaders need to take the time not only to learn the stories of those around them, but to also share their own.

2. Assume the best. Research shows that individuals will rise, or fall, based on the expectations of those around them. If we believe that students and staff can achieve great things, they will. I try to begin every conversation with a student, parent or teacher with the assumption that they want to do their best, but might need some guidance on how to make that "best" a reality. It is my job to see the potential, the capacity, for great things in every individual. 

3. Shift the focus. Education in general can be very deficit based. We tend to focus on what needs improvement rather than what is going well. As such, many conversations are focussed on identifying problems rather than finding solutions. It is important to be realistic about challenges, but it is equally important to identify and celebrate strengths. I do my best to re-frame obstacles as opportunities. I have learned to embrace challenges as an impetus for change.

4. Listen more, talk less. More often than not, individuals just need an opportunity to vent. Sometimes my most effective "problem solving" approach is to simply listen and provide a space in which they can discover their own solutions. In this way, leaders can build capacity in those around them. 

5. Keep calm. While I am sometimes the target of anger and frustration, I have learned that it is rarely about me. In my role as a school administrator, I may represent an individual's previous negative experiences rather than their current reality. I remind myself that everyone has a story, a context, and I do my best to maintain a calm and professional demeanour in the face of heightened emotions.

The Power of Your Words

On World Teacher's Day, a reminder of the impact of our words and actions in a child's life...

For sparking imaginations,
For inspiring creativity,
For igniting passions,
For shaping minds,
For all that you do,
Thank You.

YOU make a DIFFERENCE. 

Take a Moment to Celebrate

It only took a minute.

Actually, more accurately, probably about 40 seconds.

A moment to make a "good news" call to a parent who typically only gets phone calls when her son has done something wrong. In fact, I've been the person who's had to make several of those calls this year.

This boy has struggled to find his way and has made some poor choices earlier this year. Repeatedly. At one point, I didn't have much hope that he would be able to turn things around. He was on the verge of going down a road that would be very difficult to travel.

The last time I spoke to this student's mom, she was in tears in my office, accompanied by her son and an RCMP officer.

But then...something changed.

I'm not sure ultimately what made a difference- a supportive teacher, a persistent counsellor, a parent who didn't give up... I'd like to think perhaps that even I played a part.

But over the past several months, something changed.

He started coming to school. On time! I'd see him in the lounge working on homework with other students. He'd smile and say, "Hey Ms. Garr!"

So today I took a moment... A moment to call this student's mother and share with her the improvements that I've noticed and how happy I was to see the change. She paused in uncertainty. And then, I could "hear" her smile. She thanked me, saying how much she appreciated me calling. She was in tears again, but this time, it was happy tears.

Now, I'm not saying this student is perfect. He's still struggling in some classes. I know he will still have challenges and difficult choices ahead. But I took a moment to make a "good news" call to a parent, to celebrate where her son is today.

I hope it made a difference in her day. It certainly made a difference in mine.

Happy year end!

Today, I am a Police Officer...and Other Evidence of Success

There are many aspects of my role that I love. However, year-end as a secondary administrator means a great deal of time devoted to tasks that can take me away from time with students and staff.

In case I'm unaware of the endless hours I've spent glued to my computer working on timetabling, staffing and year end events, I am reminded by the oh so friendly "check your rings" from my Apple watch. Triggered by my uncharacteristic inertness, it alerts me that I am still able to "close my rings" if I just go for a brisk three hour walk. Unlikely.

But despite the need for me to spend a frustrating amount of time staring at a computer screen, I am still committed to devoting a good portion of my day to students. After all, that's what it's all about. Barring early morning meetings or unforeseen emergencies, I am still able to maintain my "good morning" routine of welcoming students. I am still able to make my way into a sea of students at breaks and lunch.

As I took some time at lunch today with students in our lounge area, I noticed one of the Educational Assistants holding up a chart for a student with autism. It gave him a visual reminder of what "zone" he was in. This is a student who has some severe behaviour challenges, but has made amazing progress this year.

Although this student has a very concrete representation of his ability to regulate his emotions, he's certainly not the only one who is struggling in these last few weeks of school. It's a time of anxiety and uncertainty for many: students who are worried about final marks and assessments, staff who are concerned about placements for September...

I am not immune to this whirlwind of uncertainty and unease. And so I purposively look for small examples of positivity and  success to bolster me and those around me. 

Today, I received just that from the very student that I saw today at lunch. I have seen numerous examples of his success this year. But today, he provided me with an example of my own. 

Some context...

This is a student who takes great interest in figures of authority, ranked in order of "importance" from his perspective: lifeguards, security guards, fire fighters and police officers at the top of the hierarchy. He has developed a pretty special relationship with our school RCMP liaison officer. And he provides "badges" to adults in our school community that "rank" them based on his view of them. Along with the assigning of badges, this student practices positive social interactions. And as I said, he has made incredible gains. 

For much of the year, my "rank" has been lifeguard. I knew that I had to work to build trust, to build a relationship with this student. After all, I was the "newbie". I set it as a personal goal to build trust, to move up the "ranks", and prove that I was worthy of the coveted police badge. 

Yesterday, I got fire fighter. 

And today, nine months into the school year, today I received a police badge. 

Now don't get me wrong, I may be "demoted" tomorrow, based on any number of factors. But today, I received very concrete evidence that despite being buried in tasks that don't directly seem to impact students in a meaningful way (although of course they do), I am indeed making a difference. 

And so in those moments when my owns zones of regulation may blur into something that resembles a hazy abstract piece of modern art, I will remember this day.

Today, I am a police officer. 

My police officer badge!

"Re-Purposing" School Structures

"Innovative" is not synonymous with "new".

I had the opportunity to meet with admin colleagues today, in part to continue a conversation about  "re-imagining" teaching and learning in a secondary setting. Previous sessions have included visits to secondary sites in other districts to explore frameworks that extend beyond the "traditional".

In many cases, these are schools that are viewed as incredibly innovative and progressive. And indeed, they are.

But some of the most "innovative" ideas that I heard from colleagues today were not about introducing new frameworks or structures- they were about "re-purposing" existing frameworks.

One Admin team spoke about a process they undertook to re-examine the model of sustained silent reading. Over the years, the school community had evolved in ways that made the traditional model obsolete. However, despite their best efforts, teachers were reluctant to make what was viewed as a signifiant change and ultimately the initiative was voted down by the staff.

But rather than giving up, the team persisted, purposively and intentionally shifting their focus, identifying obstacles and continuing to work with staff to come up with a structure that incorporated elements of the "old", but also introduced some "new" components. They "re-purposed" the model of sustained silent reading. Not entirely new, but most definitely innovative.

A similar "re-purposing" has been occurring at my own school in connection to our Advisory model. A structure that is designed to build meaningful and sustained relationships between students and teachers, over the years some staff and students had lost sight of it's original purpose and intent. Among other indicators, we noticed that students were increasingly late to class, offering the excuse of "it's just Advisory" when they were questioned in the halls. This signalled a loss of purpose and intention in the Advisory classes themselves.

Rather than calling a halt to the Advisory model, we decided to meet with staff and students to explore what aspects of the model they valued, and what aspects they felt were less essential. As a school community, once we had decided on those elements we valued, we then looked at ways to provide additional supports. Gradually, we are "re-purposing" our traditional model of Advisory into a model that is "custom built" to serve the needs of our evolving school community. Again, not new, but I would argue, innovative.

Limited time and resources can be a significant barrier to the successful implementation of new initiatives and structures. But by re-examing and "re-purposing" existing structures, meaningful and sustained innovation is absolutely achievable.

Everybody Has a Mountain to Climb

It's a remarkable thing when one's passions intertwine in synergistic harmony...

Some of you may know that in my “free time”, I love to hike and even summit the occasional mountain. For me, hiking is a kind of moving meditation, an often solitary excursion that affords me the time to reflect and decompress. 

Summiting a mountain is an extremely humbling experience. It allows me to push my limits, both physically and mentally. The ability to persevere in challenging circumstances serves me well in other areas of my life as well. I have experienced the triumph of pushing past pain and discomfort, of taking just one more step when it seems impossible. I use this analogy when I'm speaking to students who are struggling with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. I strive to help them to see their potential, their infinite possibilities. I try to help them to "climb their mountain" and experience that same triumphant feeling of success and accomplishment. 

In my role, sadly I see many children and families who are navigating incredible challenges. The stress and heartache of having a child who is sick and in need of hospitalization can be debilitating for families. As a vice-principal, I have often wished that I could do more to provide support to these families. 

And so, when the opportunity presented itself to combine two of my passions- hiking and helping children, I jumped at it. 

In August, 2018 I will be leaving on an expedition with an amazing group of people from an organization called Summits of Hope. Our team will be travelling to Peru, reaching altitudes of 4200 metres on our climb to Machu Picchu. Although the climb itself will be incredible, it’s even more special in that our goal is to raise money for children at BC Children’s Hospital.

I will be climbing over four days, ascending with a team of thirteen other team members. The funds that we raise will support cancer research, patient care, education, and advocacy for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, and the Summits of Hope Endowment fund. 

As a member of the Summits of Hope team, I have committed to raising $5000. The prospect of that is somehow more daunting than the climb itself, but I plan to approach it as I do most things in my life- with faith, hope and a great deal of stubborn determination. And like most things in my life, I won't be able to do it on my own. I will need the help and support of friends, family and my team members. 

I hope that you will follow me on this journey. I know that it will not be an easy one- neither the fundraising nor the climb itself. But I also know that there are children whose "mountains" are so much more difficult to climb. In the end, all we can do is put one foot in front of the other, with faith, hope and a great deal of stubborn determination...

Please click on the link to my climber profile page if you would like to donate:
http://www.summitsofhope.com/climberProfile/sarah_garr

Navigating Negativity: A Strength Based Approach to Leadership

People don't typically don't come to me when things are going well.

This isn't a complaint. It's the reality of the life of a school administrator. We are the problem solvers, the peace keepers, the crisis responders. In any given day, I will usher crying students, angry parents and frustrated teachers across the threshold of my office. As I walk the hallways at break and lunch, I am bombarded by questions and queries, complaints and conflicts. When my email dings or my phone rings at eleven o'clock at night, it's rarely good news. 

So in the midst of what can sometimes feel like a sea of negativity, it is even more essential that I maintain a positive mindset and strength-based approach to leadership. 

I have developed the following strategies to assist me in this approach:

1. Assume the best. I try to begin every conversation with a parent or teacher with the assumption that they want the best for their child/student. We all want our children to be successful. It's our approach to achieving this success that might cause misunderstandings and conflict. 

2. Shift the focus. Education in general can be very deficit based. We tend to focus on what needs improvement rather than what is going well. As such, many conversations are focussed on identifying problems rather than finding solutions. Instead, I do my best to re-frame obstacles as opportunities. I have learned to embrace challenges as an impetus for change. 

3. Listen more, talk less. More often than not, people just need an opportunity to vent. Sometimes my most effective "problem solving" approach is to simply listen and let individuals sort through their thoughts until they discover their own solutions. 

4. Don't take it personally. While I am sometimes the target of anger and frustration, I have learned that it is rarely about me. In my role as a school administrator, I may represent an individual's previous negative experiences rather than their current reality. I remind myself that everyone has a story, a context, and I do my best to maintain a calm and professional demeanour in the face of heightened emotions. 

I'm not pretending that any of this is easy. If I am tired, or sick, or overwhelmed by the stressors of my day, I can find myself pulled in to the negativity. It is a conscious effort to maintain positivity in the midst of challenges. Some days are more difficult than others. Some days I fail. But I do my best to extend the same patience and understanding to myself as I do to others. And I try again the next day...

Three Barriers to Sustained Growth & Innovation

Let me begin with a qualifier...

The following observations are not founded in any specific, research-based evidence. They are, however, the result of my twenty plus years of experience in various educational roles- from special education assistant, to classroom teacher, to teacher leader, to secondary administrator. Each of these roles have afforded me incredibly valuable experiences and insights.

As with many "veteran" educators, I have been involved in the inception and implementation of numerous initiatives and projects over the years. For the most part, each began with the very best of intentions, to improve student learning. But along with this common element, there is, unfortunately, another commonality that many of these initiatives shared. For the most part, they were unsuccessful.

Now I'm the first to acknowledge that "success" can be perceived in a myriad of ways. Many of these "failures" taught the individuals and groups who were involved invaluable lessons that served to inform future initiatives. But they also sometimes served to demoralize and fatigue the members of the organization whose energy and support was integral to success.

So why is it that the majority of initiatives fizzle out and dissipate before sustained implementation can significantly impact student learning? 

I would suggest the following three factors are important contributors.

1. Over commitment. Rather than identifying just one or two areas of focus and actively warding off distractors, schools and districts jump from one initiative to the next. Bill Ferriter  addresses this in his post "Does Your School Have an 'Avoid at All Costs List'?"  I call this the "squirrel" effect. Again, it is well-intentioned. As educators we tend to be incessantly curious and so as each "next best thing" comes along, the temptation to jump on board is difficult to resist. But ultimately, this leads to important projects that fall by the wayside as the next "newer and shinier" initiative comes along.

2. Leader turn-over. Whether it's at the district or school level, the frequent movement of individuals in leadership positions can have a destabilizing effect. Although I strongly believe that an influx of "fresh blood" can be a powerful spark for innovation and growth, frequent changes in leadership can sometimes halt initiatives just as they are beginning to gain momentum. While skillful leaders do their best to ensure continuity by establishing frameworks that outlast their presence in an organization, often their eager and again, well-intentioned replacements bring with them their own unique set of visions and goals. Many of us have experienced the disorienting and sudden "shift" that can accompany a change in leadership.

3. Lack of clear vision. This one seems obvious, but somehow it remains as the most significant barrier to sustained and successful growth and innovation. There are a number of factors that can contribute, including the two that I've identified above. But this may also be the result of competing or conflicting visions within an organization. With this comes a level of frustration and disconnect on the part of key stakeholders who find themselves pulled in numerous directions. This "tug-of-war" can have an immobilizing effect. In "Leading Change" I discuss other necessary attributes, but the ability to identify and articulate a clear vision is at the forefront of successful leadership.

As I continue my learning and leadership journey, I am mindful of these observations as I work within my own school and district to support student learning. Ironically, many of these insights are the result of mistakes that I've made along the way, accompanied by subsequent self-reflection and readjustment. But ultimately, I believe that as long as we are all willing to acknowledge and learn from past experiences, there really is no such thing as failure.