This morning as I walked into the building feeling tired and foggy, I was again reminded of a comment I made last night while talking to my parents: "People are good." Maybe working in a school reminds me of that more often than the average person, or maybe it is just a simple truth. Either way, I prefer to think that way over any other way. Period.
In this case, the people I work with are good. All of them. The teachers, custodians, kitchen staff, secretaries among the other support staff. They are here for the common good of our students... even when it comes to a jammed locker. I walked in this morning, shivering from the cold, to a loud pounding sound. Lenny, the custodian who is always the first in the building every morning, was pounding at a locker. He mentioned that this particular student had been having issues with a locker that jammed. It seems like a simple, mundane task, however Lenny knows that it is really more than that. Peering up at me with his wrench in hand, he said, "It always makes me feel bad when this happens because something as little as a locker jamming really starts a students' day off on the wrong foot." He went on to talk about how these types of things are how he can make a difference. And he does. Every day.
Sometimes it is easy to get wrapped up in the negativity the comes from the pressure of the new state initiatives, the new testing requirements and hearing colleagues complain about this or that; but it is important to take a step back and remember that people are good. Even those who complain. They are good too. We are all here for the common good of our students and we mean well.
Education is a grueling profession, but it is not without its rewards. Remembering those rewards is the key! This week, I am choosing to remember the little five year-old girl who nearly knocked me over because she was running up so fast to give me a hug. And also the little boy who smacked himself in the forehead with a sly smile as he loudly admitted to me that he "accidentally" peeked at his Christmas presents before he opened them. I am choosing to remember the powerful brainstorming session with fellow colleagues about community involvement in our wonderful school. And the teacher who stopped in this morning for a visit and a smile. And then there's Lenny. Here's to Lenny. Here's to his simple, powerful and practical goodness....
