Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Marigolds or Walnut Trees: Message to the Faculty and Staff to Start the 2018-2019 School Year

Portions of this blog have been used with permission from the Cult of Pedagogy by Jennifer Gonzalez. Please download a copy of the original post: Find Your Marigold: The One Essential Rule for New Teachers right here.

We all have the ability to change the outlook and attitude of those around us. This ‘superpower’ can’t be understated. I have learned in my career the approach I use can significantly impact the outcome of any interaction I have with you—and you with your students. A smile or playful and positive attitude can soften even the hardest of hearts. And at the same time, each morning when we climb out of bed we get to decide whether or not it is going to be a good day—or bad day. That decision when we walk out the door and head toward this school will impact everyone we come into contact with.

No matter what job you do in this district, it is mission critical and we couldn’t do it without you! Across all classifications of employment in our school, we have felt what it’s like when we are short staffed: in the ranks of our teaching staff, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, or custodians. Granted there are plenty of people around to lend a hand, but the fact is we need you and your expertise. You matter! The people around you matter. Not only do these people matter, they are the people who will help push you forward to greatness this school year.

I encourage you to be that light, that inspiration, and that steady hand that will guide [first year teachers] during this year of ‘firsts’. Take a moment to think about your first year in this profession; consider your original discernment to this noble work when you help push one another forward.

Each of us chose this work because we wanted to make a difference in the lives of children. Many of us had an experience in our own formative years that led us to our place in this auditorium today. For me, it was my high school music teachers. Without them seeing a talent in me, or hearing the proverbial ‘he has so much potential’; I wouldn’t be here. No joke. I was destined for something far different than what I am blessed to be doing right now. I am sure you all have a story or experience that led you down this path. Remember the spark that lit the fire and started your career. Then, think of the child [in your classroom this year] that was you. While they may not all be destined to careers as educators, they most certainly are counting on you to help them in their quest of self-discovery. What will they be, and how will you help unleash that potential? I encourage you to consider this when you climb out of bed in the morning and are preparing for another great day at Hudson Schools. Contemplate all the good you are going to do and the positive impact you will have on each student that comes into your classroom. Meets you in the hallway. Gets on your bus in the morning. Drops off lunch money in your office.

Positive impact and positive attitude. Last week we attended the SAI conference in Des Moines. One of our keynote presentations was by Michelle Geilan who studies happiness, those who have a positive outlook, and the impact they have on those around them. We can in fact change our behavior, and we can change the behavior of those we come into contact with by the words we choose and the smile on our face. Think about this: research shows that a positive outlook leads to 31% more productivity, 25% better performance ratings, and 23% less stress.

According to Geilan, the three greatest predictors of success are: work optimism (believing good things will happen); positive engagement (believing that you can succeed); and support provision (the more you invest in the success of others, the more likely you are to succeed). What perfect positions we are in as educators to invest in the success of others!

So I ask you AND ME not to give in to the narrative of negativity and instead be the shining light for your students, and for the person that lives across the hallway from you. Because remember: You matter and will make a difference! I challenge us all to be the people who push one another forward! 

So then. Last spring I had the good fortune of being exposed to the work of Jennifer Gonzalez. Jennifer is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher and the Editor in Chief of the Cult of Pedagogy. 

She is also the author of ‘Find Your Marigold: The One Essential Rule for New Teachers’. For those of you who are gardeners, you know why marigolds are generally planted. They are a companion plant that keeps pests away and allows other plants and vegetables to flourish. But as Gonzalez describes in her essay, there are marigolds in our schools as well. Here is what she says about them:
“Marigolds exist in our schools—encouraging supporting and nurturing growing teachers on their way to maturity. If you can find at least one marigold in your school and stay close to them you will grow. Find more than one and you will positively thrive.” (Jennifer Gonzalez, Find Your Marigold)
Albeit sage advice for the newest to our profession, perhaps there is a lesson in here for each of us? Consider those with whom you work on a daily basis. Your teammates, confidants, administrators, custodians, paraprofessionals, school secretary, hot lunch staff, or bus drivers: do they lift you up, encourage you, and help you to grow? Do they push you forward? If they don’t; if we don’t—then now is the time to do so. The work we do—the work you do is extremely difficult. If we don’t seek out, or be marigolds for one another we are doomed to complacency. Or worse yet, if left unchecked we can become walnut trees. Here is what Jennifer says about walnut trees:
“Successful gardeners avoid planting vegetables anywhere near walnut trees because they give off a toxic substance that can inhibit growth, wilt, and ultimately kill nearby vegetable plants. And sadly, if your school is like most, walnut trees will be abundant. They may not seem dangerous at first. In fact, some may appear to be good teachers—happy, social, well organized. But here are some signs you should keep your distance: Their take on kids is negative. Their take on administration is negative. Being around them makes you feel insecure, discouraged, overwhelmed, or embarrassed. Walnut trees are poison.” (Jennifer Gonzalez, Find Your Marigold)
Again, we look to the newest of our faculty and staff. They are excited and full of energy to begin working with our young people. The whole world is out in front of them!  What they—what you need most in this sea of unfamiliarity and stress is someone to smile at you and welcome you to the school. To remind you what a great career you had chosen and how amazing the kids are in our school. Someone to give you a pep talk before open house and to let you know your room looks great. That critical friend and colleague who, at the sunset of that first day can give you a pat on the back and proclaim, ‘You did it’!

To successfully do this important work that is in front of us, we must resist the lure of the walnut tree. I know that sometimes this is difficult. It is difficult for me! I have been a walnut tree! For many of us, we have seen some things. We have lived through challenges. Yet I submit that what we all need most in this abundance of challenge and uncertainty is someone to smile at you and let you know that everything is going to be okay. You need a marigold; to pick you up, dust you off, and remind you of all the good work you have done, all the good work you have yet to do, and someone to help push you forward.

Again, I’ll ask you to look around this auditorium. There are marigolds among us. But watch out for the walnut trees because they are out there as well. The fact is there may be a little bit of marigold and walnut in many of us. It may be tricky at times, but we need to do our best to grow marigolds in our school and weed out the walnuts. My promise and commitment is to work hard to be your marigold this year.

These next three days are among the most important in our school year. Professional learning and setting up your classroom aside, the interactions you have with colleagues on the eve of the return of students will set a tone that will determine the fate of the year.

Have a great start to the school year and thank you for being here. Please come up to the front of the stage and find your marigold.

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