The Quiet Worker

This may come as a shock to you, but I never do anything quietly. From morning announcements in the voice of Robin Williams in "Good Morning, Vietnam" to calling students up for awards in our Celebrate Monday assembly like a sports announcer, I like to have fun at school. It's the same with service projects. From the Polar Plunge to St. Baldrick's Shave-a-Thon, the events are publicized on social media with plenty of photos. My average speed is a hundred miles an hour and everything is larger than life. My comfort level is high when there is a lot of activity and I'm in the middle of the action.

My wife is very different. She loves service projects like I do, but she does them quietly. When we do Meals on Wheels deliveries, the pictures end up on my social media, but rarely on hers. She volunteers regularly at the church thrift store and does countless hours of work as a deacon, none of which ever makes it to social media.  In fact, she rarely talks about her duties.  She just looks at them as something she does and not worthy of mentioning. In many ways, I wish I was more like her...a quiet worker. That's one of the things I most admire about her, she does thing just because they need to be done with no fanfare. 

As a building principal, I'm often in the spotlight for our school events. Introducing assemblies, handing out awards, leading community events. I love every minute of it. However, I realize that the real magic happens from the quiet workers. The classroom teacher who spends her evenings writing lesson plans. The school secretary who helps a child that has a stomach ache. The interventionist who doesn't give up on a child who is struggling academically. The custodian who works late into the evening to be sure the school is ready for students in the morning. The volunteer who's only payment is the smile of the child that they work with each week. 

Although I admire quiet workers, I will probably never be one. I can't help but let my passion out and tell the world about what we do at school and publicly tell our story. That doesn't mean I don't recognize the work that goes on behind the scenes. In many ways, the quiet workers are the foundation of everything we do in education. As a principal, I would like to thank all the quiet workers who helped me as a student and all the quiet workers who help me do my job everyday at school. All the work that you do in the shadows helps our students to shine! 

PEARLS OF WISDOM

"Do not underestimate the determination of a quiet man." - Iain Duncan Smith

"It's the steady, quiet, plodding ones who win in the lifelong race." - Robert W. Service

"There is a time to be quiet and a time to talk." - Aung San Suu Kyi

GREAT EDUCATORS TO FOLLOW ON TWITTER

Jonathan Royce

Betty Rosen-Leacher

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, June 12: Celebrate Monday Assembly 9:05 am
                            Jon to Kennedy for teacher interviews 12:30-4:30 pm 

Tuesday, June 13: Farewell Assembly 2:45 pm 

Wednesday, June 14: 4th Grade Picnic

Thursday, June 15: Students dismissed at 12:10 pm

                             Staff gathering at The Box 4:00 pm 

Friday, June 16: Citizenship Award Assembly with music by Pato 10:00 am

                          4th Grade Clap Out 11:35 am

                         Students dismissed at 12:10 pm for Summer Vacation!

Monday, June 19: Teacher Work Day (Optional Report if checked out on Friday:)
Tuesday June 20: Building open from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm
Wednesday, June 21: Building open from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm