“You Raised Us Right”

I got a text message the other day. The message read “You raised us right”. This got me thinking.

Since making the recent life changing announcement that I’m changing jobs and moving, I’ve been thinking about whether or not I made a difference. I have been very fortunate to have many opportunities. I hope that I’ve made the best of those opportunities. But I still wonder. Have I made a difference?

I received the text from one of my wonderful Tech Coaches. They are scheduled to be interviewed by Mitch Albom. They will be talking about student-centered learning. Student-centered learning is something that we’ve talked about consistently over the last five years. It is one of my drum beats.

The Tech Coaches are fantastic teachers. (That was the major criteria for selecting them long ago.) Obviously, I didn’t “raise” them. I interviewed and selected them for the position, sure. But they are self-starting, highly effective, teacher leaders. We talk every week so that they know my vision (OK, so that I get to talk about teaching and learning) of education. Oh, and how technology fits into that vision.

At the heart of the last few years has been that working together, we’ve created, adjusted, monitored, adjusted, developed, adjusted, and, well, adjusted the Tech Coach position. We talk regularly, but the crux of the situation is that both Amy and Bob are excellent teachers, great learners, and powerful leaders. They have developed the Tech Coach position into a potent instructional role. I can only hope that I’ve played some small role in that.

Now, I will say that the Tech Coaches have shared positive stories with me. They have been up front about telling me that I’ve made a differnce for them. I do truly appreciate their kind thoughts and feedback.

But, I also wonder about my time throughout the district. What about my time as a principal? As an assistant principal? As a teacher? Could I have made a bigger impact?

I’ve been fortunate to work with great teachers and great teams. Seriously, I hardly touched the great people and impressive work that they did on my long screed. I’m honored to have been a small part of that.

It’s human nature to look back occassionally and wonder “how you did”. Teachers frequently aren’t told about the number of lives that they’ve changed (and saved).

For now, I’m taking the “You raised us right” as the highest of compliments.

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