Equity, diversity, and inclusion are necessary condition for students, educators and families to feel a greater sense of belonging.
Good bye 2020, it is time to turn the page and welcome 2021.
tyThis is my first blog post ever. I have waited until the last day of 2020 to begin my online journalling space in an effort to beat the New Year's resolution that I will inevitably make.
Much of my writing in the last two years has been research-focused or curricular design as I have been immersed in my doctoral studies while working as District Principal in Surrey Schools. One of my goals for 2021 is to intersect writing with reflective practice as I intend to process some of my learning, leadership and growth.
Last January 2020, after 16 years of working for the Vancouver School Board, I decided to take a leap of change and took a position in the largest school district in BC. I had wanted a new challenge and, the opportunity aligned with a mid-year change, something that I had never experienced before. When I had changed positions as a teacher, counsellor, school admin or district admin, those changes often occurred over the summer. Surrey Schools welcomed me as District Principal of Student Support and, six weeks into this new role, our whole education system needed to adapt to delivering education while apart.
Enduring lessons of 2020
How to navigate an environment when so much is uncertainty
Leadership through uncertainty and in turbulent times often makes or breaks a leader. I have seen this repeatedly before COVID-19 in my trauma response work as a counsellor and Safe Schools Coordinator. My work often involved front-line work and guiding and coaching colleagues and other district leaders through crisis response. Effective trauma response plans include prevention training, open and collaborative systems to do the response work and postvention methods such as debriefs and lessons learned. Practically, we have been living in response to this pandemic and, the uncertainty that has been around us has been one of the most significant challenges. We see different parts of our country and around the world respond the best way they can and, in so doing, we have witnessed how this global crisis has shown on a much larger scale the inequities and challenges people face around the world.
Although uncertainty produces anxiety, it is has been shown that clear communication can reduce anxiety. Sometimes silence can be perceived as hiding information. The more that can be communicated by leaders, even if all of the answers or information hasn't been finalized, the more transparency and authenticity can help foster trust.
One person cannot do it ALL! Share the load and help others lead. One of the gifts of being in the education sector is that I have worked with kids and adults and have always felt that one of my primary purposes is to shine a light on what others do well and help them lead. I feel inspired each day by being surrounded by such outstanding educational leaders regardless of role.
Crisis of belonging
For much of my life, feeling a sense of belonging has not come easy as I have grown up in Canada and Mexico with racialized parents. I was often teased in my younger years for not having good English and my Spanish, often needing a bit of work. I resented the feelings of not feeling like a belonged. I think this drove me to work hard in school to get good grades and then move back to Guadalajara, Mexico, to immerse myself in my Latin culture and language. As you can see, I value creating a sense of belonging, and I am forever grateful that I have had this experience as I seek to create ways for others to feel a sense of belonging. My last years of classroom teaching was working in an inner-city Junior high Alternate Education Program. Those kids sure taught me a lot and how important it was to create a positive relationship and about the importance of the power of connection.
I have walked alongside young people and their families who have experienced the traumatic impact of racism and discrimination and witnessed resiliency and strength. Worldwide we saw the horrific tragedy of the murder of George Floyd. His death has reaffirmed our humanity. Condemnation from so many around the world has united voices to stand together and to say, WE cannot accept racism in any form. We NEED to do BETTER. Mr. Floyd's death is a painful reminder that we cannot ignore racism. We belong to each other regardless of race and we need to do what is right for each other, have hope and raise expectations. Fostering a sense of belonging is vital in our classrooms and school communities.
Approaching the topic of racism is not easy. It can generate concern, empathy, compassion and many other feelings. We usually address racism based on our own lived experiences, self-awareness, bias and position of privilege. Approaching racism requires us to bring our most compassionate selves and to suspend our emotional reactivity so that we can remain open and come to a deeper understanding of what it means to care for one another. Finding ways to heal from the traumatic impact of racism should not be left to young people to find on their own; it is in our collective work as educators and community citizens to do better.
Great article here in the American Academy of Pediatrics, The Traumatic Impact of Racism and Discrimination on Young People and How to Talk about It.
Human Rights at the Heart of the Response by the United Nations- Racial Discrimination in the context of the COVID-19 crisis
How am I showing up?
I feel so privileged to have participated in Compassionate Systems Leadership training this past year here in BC, led by the Center for Systems Awareness. Nevermore has this work been so timely. I genuinely feel that moving forward regardless of the organization or community we are part of, we need to show compassion to others and ourselves. How am I showing up today? is a question that Dr. Mette Boell encourages us to ask of ourselves. As I began the 2020-21 school year back in September, this is the question that I often reflect on as I start my day but especially when I know I am about to have a difficult conversation. Just pausing and thinking about this question and recognizing what is on my mind and in my heart gives me the clarity I need to be present and ready.
In closing, I would like to give my heartfelt gratitude to my husband Sean, family, dear friends and colleagues for all of your courage, dedication and compassion you give to so many each day. Many are educators, health care providers and social services providers. You uplift so many each and every day. THANK YOU.
Farewell to 2020.
All the best for a NEW year in 2021.
Much of my writing in the last two years has been research-focused or curricular design as I have been immersed in my doctoral studies while working as District Principal in Surrey Schools. One of my goals for 2021 is to intersect writing with reflective practice as I intend to process some of my learning, leadership and growth.
Last January 2020, after 16 years of working for the Vancouver School Board, I decided to take a leap of change and took a position in the largest school district in BC. I had wanted a new challenge and, the opportunity aligned with a mid-year change, something that I had never experienced before. When I had changed positions as a teacher, counsellor, school admin or district admin, those changes often occurred over the summer. Surrey Schools welcomed me as District Principal of Student Support and, six weeks into this new role, our whole education system needed to adapt to delivering education while apart.
Enduring lessons of 2020
How to navigate an environment when so much is uncertainty
Leadership through uncertainty and in turbulent times often makes or breaks a leader. I have seen this repeatedly before COVID-19 in my trauma response work as a counsellor and Safe Schools Coordinator. My work often involved front-line work and guiding and coaching colleagues and other district leaders through crisis response. Effective trauma response plans include prevention training, open and collaborative systems to do the response work and postvention methods such as debriefs and lessons learned. Practically, we have been living in response to this pandemic and, the uncertainty that has been around us has been one of the most significant challenges. We see different parts of our country and around the world respond the best way they can and, in so doing, we have witnessed how this global crisis has shown on a much larger scale the inequities and challenges people face around the world.
Although uncertainty produces anxiety, it is has been shown that clear communication can reduce anxiety. Sometimes silence can be perceived as hiding information. The more that can be communicated by leaders, even if all of the answers or information hasn't been finalized, the more transparency and authenticity can help foster trust.
One person cannot do it ALL! Share the load and help others lead. One of the gifts of being in the education sector is that I have worked with kids and adults and have always felt that one of my primary purposes is to shine a light on what others do well and help them lead. I feel inspired each day by being surrounded by such outstanding educational leaders regardless of role.
Crisis of belonging
For much of my life, feeling a sense of belonging has not come easy as I have grown up in Canada and Mexico with racialized parents. I was often teased in my younger years for not having good English and my Spanish, often needing a bit of work. I resented the feelings of not feeling like a belonged. I think this drove me to work hard in school to get good grades and then move back to Guadalajara, Mexico, to immerse myself in my Latin culture and language. As you can see, I value creating a sense of belonging, and I am forever grateful that I have had this experience as I seek to create ways for others to feel a sense of belonging. My last years of classroom teaching was working in an inner-city Junior high Alternate Education Program. Those kids sure taught me a lot and how important it was to create a positive relationship and about the importance of the power of connection.
I have walked alongside young people and their families who have experienced the traumatic impact of racism and discrimination and witnessed resiliency and strength. Worldwide we saw the horrific tragedy of the murder of George Floyd. His death has reaffirmed our humanity. Condemnation from so many around the world has united voices to stand together and to say, WE cannot accept racism in any form. We NEED to do BETTER. Mr. Floyd's death is a painful reminder that we cannot ignore racism. We belong to each other regardless of race and we need to do what is right for each other, have hope and raise expectations. Fostering a sense of belonging is vital in our classrooms and school communities.
Approaching the topic of racism is not easy. It can generate concern, empathy, compassion and many other feelings. We usually address racism based on our own lived experiences, self-awareness, bias and position of privilege. Approaching racism requires us to bring our most compassionate selves and to suspend our emotional reactivity so that we can remain open and come to a deeper understanding of what it means to care for one another. Finding ways to heal from the traumatic impact of racism should not be left to young people to find on their own; it is in our collective work as educators and community citizens to do better.
Great article here in the American Academy of Pediatrics, The Traumatic Impact of Racism and Discrimination on Young People and How to Talk about It.
Human Rights at the Heart of the Response by the United Nations- Racial Discrimination in the context of the COVID-19 crisis
How am I showing up?
I feel so privileged to have participated in Compassionate Systems Leadership training this past year here in BC, led by the Center for Systems Awareness. Nevermore has this work been so timely. I genuinely feel that moving forward regardless of the organization or community we are part of, we need to show compassion to others and ourselves. How am I showing up today? is a question that Dr. Mette Boell encourages us to ask of ourselves. As I began the 2020-21 school year back in September, this is the question that I often reflect on as I start my day but especially when I know I am about to have a difficult conversation. Just pausing and thinking about this question and recognizing what is on my mind and in my heart gives me the clarity I need to be present and ready.
In closing, I would like to give my heartfelt gratitude to my husband Sean, family, dear friends and colleagues for all of your courage, dedication and compassion you give to so many each day. Many are educators, health care providers and social services providers. You uplift so many each and every day. THANK YOU.
Farewell to 2020.
All the best for a NEW year in 2021.
