What I Learned In School Last Year ...
Walking in, I was like the new kid at school. Ready for a new experience, knowing I had so much going for me – passion, knowledge, confidence, and “they” wanted me to be there. They even paid me to be there. I was only part-time, but I would give them more and they would love it. (2015)
Walking in, I was like the new kid at school. Ready for a new experience, knowing I had so much going for me – passion, knowledge, confidence, and “they” wanted me to be there. They even paid me to be there. I was only part-time, but I would give them more and they would love it. (2015)
What did they really want? Did they want what I had to give? Was there a strategy? A plan? In my mind I knew what I wanted to give – support! I wanted to support students, teachers, parents, families, even the principals and administrators. I wanted to relieve them of the heavy burden of addressing mental health, so they could get back to managing the schools. I really bit off more than I could chew, but again, I was energized and ready to tackle mental health/illness in the Springfield Public Schools.
I followed the rules by contacting each of the elementary school principals individually. My initial meeting requests resulted in responses from most principals on the first day. My name and role had been shared with them at an administrative meeting and they were ready to get started. At least that’s what my optimistic side believed. School had already started and there was no time to lose. Like a pharmaceutical sales rep, I walked in with my supplies, gave them a quick overview of what I had to offer, and asked how they wanted me to proceed. I wanted to serve each community (school) individually based on their needs. To imagine that it would simply be a matter of them making their wish list, handing it to me, and poof… all wishes were granted, was really naïve. Was I that naïve? Yes. Maybe, I was just being overly optimistic. It was too early to accept the reality that I uncovered/accepted months later.
It was spring when I found out the real goal was to have someone in the schools, a person with an actual presence to offer support. I didn't understand fully what that meant, and didn’t allow that phrase to take me off course. I was on a mission to make a difference. After 8 months, I had coordinated, scheduled, and led 6 Professional Development presentations with my own, handpicked team. I had also led a 6-week course for parents in the public schools. I had little direct connection with students, hopefully the connections I had with administrators, principals, teachers, school staff, and parents indirectly impacted them.
What I learned was that the schools have the best intentions and try to provide an excellent education. There isn’t enough funding or time available to address all the needs they face. Even with some of the most devoted teachers and staff, the students aren’t being engaged, or heard. The Springfield Public Schools gave me a fantastic opportunity to impact their community. My goal is to return to the schools, find ways to have continued conversations, learn what’s on the minds of the youth we’re trying to prepare for the future and offers support to all of those who are part of their lives.. I still have hope and am optimistic that their voices will be heard if we give them a chance to speak up. Being the bridge between parents and teachers is my way of supporting students in the meantime.
I followed the rules by contacting each of the elementary school principals individually. My initial meeting requests resulted in responses from most principals on the first day. My name and role had been shared with them at an administrative meeting and they were ready to get started. At least that’s what my optimistic side believed. School had already started and there was no time to lose. Like a pharmaceutical sales rep, I walked in with my supplies, gave them a quick overview of what I had to offer, and asked how they wanted me to proceed. I wanted to serve each community (school) individually based on their needs. To imagine that it would simply be a matter of them making their wish list, handing it to me, and poof… all wishes were granted, was really naïve. Was I that naïve? Yes. Maybe, I was just being overly optimistic. It was too early to accept the reality that I uncovered/accepted months later.
It was spring when I found out the real goal was to have someone in the schools, a person with an actual presence to offer support. I didn't understand fully what that meant, and didn’t allow that phrase to take me off course. I was on a mission to make a difference. After 8 months, I had coordinated, scheduled, and led 6 Professional Development presentations with my own, handpicked team. I had also led a 6-week course for parents in the public schools. I had little direct connection with students, hopefully the connections I had with administrators, principals, teachers, school staff, and parents indirectly impacted them.
What I learned was that the schools have the best intentions and try to provide an excellent education. There isn’t enough funding or time available to address all the needs they face. Even with some of the most devoted teachers and staff, the students aren’t being engaged, or heard. The Springfield Public Schools gave me a fantastic opportunity to impact their community. My goal is to return to the schools, find ways to have continued conversations, learn what’s on the minds of the youth we’re trying to prepare for the future and offers support to all of those who are part of their lives.. I still have hope and am optimistic that their voices will be heard if we give them a chance to speak up. Being the bridge between parents and teachers is my way of supporting students in the meantime.