Learning to Shine Light Into the Shadows of Our Greatest Insecurities

I arrived thinking about how to recognize when to bravely call out excuses we, as educators, often make about students. They are not ill intentioned... they are just programed into our social constructs. I'm reminded of the conflict with the Black Lives Matter movement and have appreciated the illuminations that have illustrated the need to recognize the inequities in our society - it's not that All Lives Don't Matter; it's just that we need to look deeper inside to understand how history has marginalized minorities. And do something about it. I've grown as a result of this introspection and now carry the duty to help others grow in their own way to boldly look into the shadows of their own hearts to confront their own biases. I was thinking about teacher attitudes, personality and teacher talk and then... BAM! I was introduced to Principal Kafele's idea of the Attitude Gap. Kafele challenges us to create a foundation in our school cultures where the adults believe in students. Not just say it, but truly believe all students can be successful. Challenges us to know and care about students. I used to say you must get the students "eating out of the palm of your hand" in order to make a positive impact. Teachers have one variable they can feasibly control - their classroom. So in the walls, you have to act on possibilities and potential; provide an environment conducive to learning; realize who your students are and teach them to fly (Kafele).

This is not easy. There is not a curriculum, teacher manual or website. This is an introspective journey. We have to ask ourselves if we are willing to question our own preconceived notions and biases. We have to examine our mannerisms, tendencies, body language and word choices. We have to be willing to see ourselves in the mirror of the eyes watching us and just imagine what we look like, sound like and emanate.  We have to learn to shine light into the shadows of our greatest insecurities and be willing to question our motives and functions. Then we can begin to build truly caring relationships with students. Students do not make this easy because they have their own histories, tendencies, expectations and barriers. We just have to be strong enough in our own insecurities to be real.

Reflections from 8/11/16 Leadership Learning Session. Special thanks to Darryl Campbell for facilitating. 

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