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Quick Thread about the need for grace during these times.
1. My family and I were at the recently opened pool the other day; we had an assigned 2 hour slot and were there with another family that's in our bubble;
1. My family and I were at the recently opened pool the other day; we had an assigned 2 hour slot and were there with another family that's in our bubble;
2. Soon after we got there, there was thunder, which normally means you have to clear the pool deck, but in this case it meant that we had to leave altogether. Sitting outside for half an hour there was a lot of complaining about not hearing thunder, why did we have to leave, etc
3. This then led me to go on an extended daddy-rant about how the teenage lifeguards and pool staff had a tough job, they have to ensure safety, they have to follow rules, and they're doing their best in unusual circumstances
4. Today I spoke with a veteran superintendent, a real pro, known as someone who knows their stuff through and through, and has a track record of success.
5. He starts telling me about how tough it is to lead during these times, not because of the myriad decisions that need to be made and the complexities coupled with the unknowns, reduced funds and lack of state and federal leadership. He can handle it
6. His aggravation stemmed from school board members, parents and community members who not only have unreasonable demands and expectations, but they're more than willing to share them publicly, to the media and on various listservs, FB pages, etc.
7. Our conversation made me think of my recent pool experience. Perhaps its our polarized society, maybe it's just the pent up frustration with everything going on in the world, or maybe some people are just jerks
8. But the refusal to presume positive suppositions and to automatically think one knows better than the expert - whether it's the teenager working at the pool following policy, or the superintendent who's doing their level best to lead in these crazy times - is what's disturbing
9. And yes, sometimes leaders make bad calls, and sometimes what we thought was thunder was just a plane flying overhead, but I hope, on behalf of all the school and system leaders, that as we try to get kids back into school and back into learning, we can all have a little grace
