I Get To Do This

You can tell a lot about a person from the language that they use. While we often pick up on body language and mood very quickly when talking with students and adults, language sometimes tells us a lot more. Language can describe motive and motivation within a person simply by the words that are chosen. I once heard someone express this concept very simply. Saying, "I have to..." implies a negative attitude toward a task. Saying, "I want to..." changes the connotation to the positive, but could still be driven from selfish reasons. Saying, "I get to..." implies selflessness and genuine joy in the task. 

Many of you "had to" finish grading papers this week so that report cards could be issued. I heard it in the hallways and I saw it on your faces. I also heard many of you "want to" start the second six weeks with a renewed motivation and a higher expectation for student success. I had a chance to think through this throughout the week and I can honestly say that my entire attitude changed as a result. I get to do a lot of great things. This week I got to see my student leaders meet with the Board of Education and I was overwhelmed at what they had to say about our school and the many projects that they are all so involved in. So many of our students believe in this community and in giving back to younger students in our school system. This week I got to appreciate having a school social worker. I have never had one as a principal until this year and I didn't know that this week was School Social Worker's week. Working with someone that is willing to go to student's home and make their lives better so that they can come to school is truly a privilege. I also get to work with a dedicated group of teachers that give up their time and energy to make our school and community a better place each day. I get to reflect every day on how our effort makes students successful and how their success serves as a role model for siblings and younger students in the district that they work with. 

What do you "get to" do?