Todays Goal -Building Relationships

Together we are - Mommy's Peace photostream

As was probably the case with many other teachers in my school division, and some of our neighboring ones, I did not have the most restful of sleeps. My dreams were filled with the thoughts and ideas for the school year. Thoughts about how the day was going to start, what I was going to say to the students and so on and so forth.

 

As I drove to school, one thought kept resonating in my mind, “Students, it’s all about the students”. As I arrived at school I was very glad that I did not schedule any meetings, appointments or registration consultations for the day. I quickly arranged some items in my office and ensured to check in with staff as they prepared for the busses to arrive. (First day and I was on supervision) I noticed the interested looks on many of the kids’ faces as they got off the busses, checked the class lists, and made their way up to their classes. Most of the inquisitive eyes I caught were focused not on the “ahh” of being at school, but on me as I was, aside from a few students, “The New Kid on the Block“.

 
After the kids settled, morning announcements were completed, and everyone began their routines for the year. To ensure that it wasn’t expected to regularly find me sitting at my desk working on “Principal” stuff, I, rather than returning emails, checking messages or going over my preliminary budget, closed my office door and headed into the hallway. On my adventures I stopped into every classroom before returning to my office. In addition to my morning walk, I made sure to go out at least two more times during the day.

 
This ensured that at the end of the day when I stood outside waiting for the kids to get on to the busses, almost all of the kids said goodbye to me and I to them. Being visible in a role other than being in the office is something I believe will go a long way in building relationships with my students, my staff, the parents visiting the school and other members of the community that may be visiting.This ensured that at the end of the day when I stood outside waiting for the kids to get on to the busses, almost all of the kids said goodbye to me and me to them.

 

Being visible in a role other than being in the office is something I believe will go a long way in building relationships with my students, my staff, the parents visiting the school and other members of the community that may be visiting.