Lessons from Mr. Rogers

I was hunting for an article that I read a while back and I couldn't remember the title, so I did a Google search. What I found was something better that spoke to me so strongly that I have wanted to send it out for three days now. Instead of the article I was looking for, I found an article entitled, "Seven Lessons from Mister Rogers That Can Help Americans Be Neighbors Again." The article was written in 2018, but the lessons there sounded like something we all needed to hear today. Here are the seven lessons (click the link above for the full version):

1. It's ok to feel whatever it is that we feel. 

2. But our feelings aren't an excuse for bad behavior.

3. Other people are different from us - and just as complex as we are. 

4. It's our responsibility to care for the most vulnerable.

5. We can work to make a difference right where we are.

6. It's important to make time to care for ourselves.

7. We are neighbors. 

As I read through the explanations of these simple lessons from the man that sang while he changed his shoes, I saw the faces of staff members. So many of you have been doing a great job of taking care of one another in this time of stress and adversity. This year has made every one of us a first-year teacher all over again. No matter what you knew about Canvas, blended instruction, or communicating with students, this year is different and difficult. While I expected so many of you to be overly frustrated, instead I watched you treat each other as neighbors. You helped one another and you are making a difference where you are. And in case you read the previous sentence and thought that it may not be ok to feel frustrated, look back at lesson #1. It's ok and I've certainly been there too. We all have. 

I never found the original article that I was looking for, and I'm glad that I didn't. Maybe something led me to the Mr. Rogers article or maybe I was looking for a metaphor for how proud I am of all of you right now. Either way, these lessons are here for us as reminders of what taking care of ourselves and each other looks like. Thanks for being good neighbors.

What I've Learned

People-watching is one of my favorite crowd activities and you can bet that in malls, restaurants, or at the beach, I'm watching the people around me. Maybe I'm nosey, or maybe I'm just intrigued by human interactions. Since the school shut down in March, I've been somewhat uniquely positioned to watch people and how they have reacted. The social studies teacher in me couldn't understand how we politicized a medical event and the school leader in me worried about students, families, and our staff members. But in my people-watching, I can tell you that I've learned a lot. Here are a few of my conclusions: 

I've learned how fear can paralyze people, and how legitimate that concern is for some and not for others. I've also learned that I had to find a way to address both groups.

I've learned that a crisis can bring out the best in some people and the worst in others.

I've learned that some things look worse on paper than they do in real life. People make things better sometimes.

I've learned that sometimes the best thing that I can do is to stay out of the way of people doing a good job.

I've learned that some people can make a bad situation work for them and others shut down.

I've learned that trying to be more patient is the leadership skill that I need to develop more.

I've learned that some people rise to challenges and that strong teams rise together. Their power is in the sum of their efforts and isn't necessarily limited by individuals. 

I've learned that I don't have to carry the load for everyone because there are good people working with me that help. Most without ever asking. 

I can't tell you how happy I am to be back working with you all. I know that some people think that we are crazy or reckless for trying this. Others wish that their children were in our district so that they could benefit from it. Seeing you all rise to the challenge this week has been amazing. It has worked better than I imagined it would. I've heard so many stories from friends across the state about how their district or staff just couldn't make it work. Thanks for being who you are. Thanks for being this crazy group that works as a team. I know that we are all different, but together, we are pretty awesome. I missed your awesomeness.