Into The Storm: Head On #BeLikeTheBuffalo

We recently received some disappointing mid-year data on our MAP scores and were reminded of it in a principal’s meeting.  We thought scores weren’t going to be quite as good as the previous levels of growth last school year based on a number of factors that were different in this Covid year and our learning curve with virtual instruction.  However, the level of growth was disheartening because we felt like we failed many of the parents that trust every day with their most prized possession, we felt like failed our bosses who trust us to make sure our school performs well, and we felt like we failed the very students that are at the heart of everything we do in education.  The simple fact remains that we didn't perform at the level we should've performed and we will always be judged by one thing....The Results!  The question then becomes what are we going to do about it…..?  This was a mid-year check, not an autopsy.  Great teams and leaders know how to handle adversity and how to adjust their gameplan at halftime to win in the second half.  

 

What we find is that life is going to have adversity and disappointments, but the key is how you handle those and move forward.  I’m reminded of a pre-season preparation talk I had with seniors when I was coaching.  The philosophy was simple in that we were going to be like a Bison/Buffalo.  Why like a Bison?  We don’t run from the reality of the situation, instead we embrace it and take it head on.  One of the most fascinating characteristics of the Bison is how they react when a storm is coming. While cows, their close relatives, huddle together, the Bison take the storm head on, traveling directly into its path.  The attitude and instinct of the Bison heading directly into the storm is very fitting and an interesting reminder of how to confront life’s obstacles. We all know that the worst thing we can do when confronted with a major challenge in life is to run from it.  Don’t run, don’t avoid it, don’t hope it goes away….Take it head on!

Two realities must be faced: (1) We need to be prepared to return to face-to-face learning 5 days/week and (2) We will be tested or assessed at the end of this school year. This has been made clear at both the federal and state levels.  To make a long story short, we decided to take this head on immediately.  Many times people procrastinate and the fear of the challenge becomes bigger and bigger to where it seems insurmountable.  Procrastinating or trying to ignore a challenge essentially makes a mountain out of a molehill.  But that’s not what the Bison does. Rather than waiting out the storm or running away from the storm, the Bison squares it’s shoulders and charges into the storm, taking it head-on in a tight herd together and running right through it. This has the effect of reducing the amount of exposure to the storm.  On the contrary, cows have a different reaction. They run away from the storm, receiving the brunt of the storm in the process.  In taking these obstacles on directly we learn what the Bison knows instinctually— when we address our challenges directly the perceived obstacles are often much less than we imagined.  Rather than running from reality or just waiting for it to hit, the attitude of our teachers and staff is going to be to take it head on and square our shoulders to take it head on.  We don't control some things and we accept that; but we control our preparation and everything we do to get ready for our students to test, we control our attitude and how we approach the challenge, we control if we are ALL IN as a team to take on the challenge, we control our focus on standards and students, etc.  

The first step in facing a challenge is to admit there is a challenge and make a decision to take it head on, owning the shortcoming and owning the solution to the problem.  The follow up has to have the same level of commitment.  After we create the plan to address the problem, we have to execute the plan to fidelity.  Leaders must inspect what they expect, in terms of how the team is going to take the storm head on. Every moment in education is a teachable moment and has the potential for growth.  So next time you are faced with a challenge or shortcoming, whether it be a complex situation or a difficult conversation you need to have with someone, follow the lead of the American Bison and avoid procrastination. Go directly toward the obstacle, embrace the challenge as well as your commitment to the solution. Take it head on into the storm!