It’s common for individuals to prioritize the needs of others. How often do your own tasks get pushed to the bottom of your to-do list? In the world of leadership, every moment is dedicated to nurturing the growth of teachers, students and even parents within the close-knit communities of our Catholic schools. But what about you? Who is tending to you…the steward, the caretaker, the school principal?
Looking out for others is a commendable quality, but neglecting your own wellbeing can lead to burnout and a decreased capacity to serve others. According to Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman, a leading authority in the field of positive psychology, there are five pillars of well-being: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and achievement/accomplishments or PERMA (2011). View these building blocks through your administrator lens. In what areas are you strongest? Where could you give more attention? When St. Teresa of Kolkata said, “Do ordinary things with extraordinary love,” she wasn’t excluding principals. You can benefit yourself and your school by reflecting on small acts that include PERMA.
What led you to Catholic education? As a teacher, one of my favorite parts of the day was reading to my students. It was a time to share something I loved. As a principal, I decided each month to read to each class. I ordered books that addressed school virtues, playground issues and other age-appropriate topics. Teachers received a break and I got to connect with the students. I even hosted a weekly story time segment on social media with one guest student. We read, laughed and discussed each book. Prospective families were amazed by our skilled readers and our students watched at bedtime with their families. What passions would you enjoy sharing?
What sort of environments do you prefer? Not far from my office, when the door was ajar, I could hear continuous laughter from one of our classrooms. Students were ontask, engaged and happy. When my brain was full or I needed a time out, I visited. Where is your favorite area on campus?
Do you REALLY pray during the school day? It is difficult to do prayer intentions when you are supervising the reverence of your students. Our staff took turns leading prayer at our staff meetings. It was an opportunity to hear what is important to them and what is going on in their lives. Where can you build time into the day for uninterrupted prayer?
Do you share meaningful moments with others? Our school days are packed. It’s common not to recall details of a day when they move so quickly. If I had to approve social media posts and attend school activities, why not be the social media manager? When I took on social media, I was an authentic witness to greatness and could share it with others. From science projects to student presentations, social media became a way to relive positive moments at our school and build a stronger community! How do you capture memorable moments at school?
What gifts are you grateful for? When we show gratitude, we are making the people of our school a priority! Pay attention to small pleasures. God is in the details. We shared moments of gratitude at each staff meeting and in school newsletters. An effective method for expressing appreciation among teachers was a shared gratitude journal passed from one teacher to another throughout the year. How can you create moments of gratitude?
Who can you turn to when you need support? Building relationships with your staff, students and school community is paramount, but leadership can be lonely if you don’t have professional networks and partnerships outside of school. The best resources we have are each other. Who are your champions, mentors and peers?
Do you take on too much? Catholics love every opportunity to celebrate, but we can’t do it all! COVID brought about significant disruptions, including altering one of my school’s cherished events. Instead, each teacher conducted simple activities outdoors with their respective classes. When the day was nearly over, I was amazed when I overheard one student tell another, “This is the best day ever!” Prioritize quality over quantity and concentrate on student learning. Where can a minimalist approach yield excellent results?
What brings you joy? Simple social connections can promote a sense of community and improve your overall outlook on the day. We implemented the virtue of affability at my school. Deliberately incorporating smiles, waves and greetings while passing each other in the halls transformed our morning routine and created a positive atmosphere on campus. Where can you infuse more joy into your school community?
What makes you laugh? We often try too hard to be taken seriously, but humor can help in challenging situations. I found it wonderful to get to a place where I could let my guard down and be myself. For me, that was putting on the school mascot costume, tap dancing in the halls and occasionally playing at recess. What role does humor play in your leadership?
What about you? Which simple yet impactful practices will uplift your well-being and your school’s overall quality? It begins with you!
Laura MacDonald is the NCEA Director of Professional Learning.
Laura MacDonald