"If only we could say what needs to be said”

The past several weeks we have been provided a tremendous opportunity to exercise self-discipline, restraint, and control with respect to what we would like to say about rumors, gossip, speculation, conjecture, and, well different versions of “truth” being portrayed as fact.  To state the obvious, it has been difficult to say the least.

Interesting that what needs to be said cannot be said for very obvious reasons.  Nevertheless, it is this concept of “if only we could say what needs to be said” that intrigues me – especially with respect to preparing for resuming our instructional work.

What needs to be said is that no excuse or explanation for the matter is acceptable when it comes to work we control, our performance, and our results.

What needs to be said is that we cannot blame others albeit administration, teachers, students, parents, community, state, federal government, the past, the present, or the weather for the decisions or choices we make.

What needs to be said is that we are accountable as well as responsible.

What needs to be said is that we are empowered with the authority to make right and good decisions and choices.

What needs to be said is that this work, the work of transformation requires conviction and an unwavering commitment to do whatever it takes to work inspired each and every day.

What needs to be said is that in working inspired we must pursue excellence in our planning, our practice, and our performance – not perfection.

What needs to be said is that individually and collectively we cannot settle for mediocrity or anything less than our best every day.

What needs to be said is none of the aforementioned can be initiated without a mindset or heart motivated by high expectations of self before high expectations for others.

In concert, what needs to be said is this work, your work, my work – our work matters – every day, every hour.

But, what needs to be said is only the first part of the equation.  Our actions, choices, and decisions must give evidence of what needs to be said.  Simply, words mean little if the actions aren’t present.  The challenge before us is to make our actions louder than our words.

Take our vision, “all means all”; do our actions, decisions, and choices speak louder than our words?  If they did, would our classrooms, schools, departments, or system let alone individual interactions between teacher and learner, principal and teacher, parent and teacher, parent and administration as well as every other conceivable relationship look, sound, or feel different?

What if, indeed?

What needs to be said is that we have less than a month before our instructional work resumes.  In the weeks before we reengage our students we must intentionally pause, reflect, ponder, and plan individually as well as organizationally the role “all means all” will play in our work.

In addition, this is the time that all educators must examine this calling to public education.  Why are you in this work?  Has this work merely become a job, an occupation?

I am quite convinced that most if not all that have entered the field of education did so because they believed in making a difference in the lives of others. 

What is that difference?

My point, what needs to be said is that now, more than ever that “difference” must not only be clear in everyone’s mind and heart, but also in action.

The “what needs to be said – and heard” is ultimately informed by being clear about the answer to “what is the difference” we want to make.  Make sense?

Suffice it to say, we have time that must be used to reflect and prepare.  Long before we think about unit and lesson plans and all the things we need to do to get ready for the instructional year, we need to be clear about our purpose, our mission, and our vision.

So let’s get busy, now, reflecting, pondering, and planning for our purpose, mission, and vision to do the work – “all means all”.