Ben Thrash

We began this week’s leadership meeting each committing to a daily wellbeing practice for the last 4 weeks of school. Mine was simply pausing to take 10 deep breaths once a day.

Wow. It’s been just over a year since my last tweet. How did that happen? This past week in our leadership meeting we discussed the NYTimes article “35 ways real people are using AI right now” - not a topic of focus just a year ago, but certainly one as we look forward…

I find leadership is often, “I’m here. What needs to be done? How can I help?” Until finally getting covid last week, I’ve worked hard to meet this daily commitment over the past couple years. Hoping to rally and recommit soon.

People on the outside of schools struggle to recognize that as covid related measures lessen, pandemic related impacts are not going anywhere for a long time. The gap between expectation and capacity is striking.

After 20 min of unloading our burdens/worries, which were intense and many, we somehow managed a super productive strategic planning session this past week. Forward thinking energized us.

@waynflete I recognize those kids, I mean those seniors!

As we get closer to commencement, the 2022 lifers at Waynflete shared a moment together outside. These students have been enrolled at Waynflete since Early Childhoodl! #waynflete

This past week each of us asked our team how we could use some help in the coming weeks. We are all fragile and holding on. Patience was a common refrain.

At last weeks meeting we discussed research highlighting the importance of focusing on an energizing outcome to support growth. Kinda sounds like common sense but can be lost in translation.

I’m beginning to think we need new words to describe what flexible thinking means for school leadership, and for the toll it’s taking on all involved. I wonder, what will crisis management look like in 5 years?

Strange, I feel like we are running the gauntlet just to see family and friends. Holiday stress hasn’t quite felt like this before. When all return to school, our emotional reserves will still be low. Find your moments to be.

Leading schools means you are always on call. These days that includes responding to 24/7 case reporting with both speed and expertise to minimize contagion risks. This constant vigilance is a bit intense.

This week we discussed why inclusion work should focus on sharing personal stories confronting privilege, more so than fixating on metrics. I’m interested in transference of this thinking to our work with students.

Last week we identified two leadership challenges of the moment - supporting all while pursuing DEIJ initiatives and knowing when to gently push/when to gently support COVID weary colleagues.

My leadership reflection this week - clarify intent, walk toward aspiration, collaborate and listen in real time.

Embracing DEIJ work initiates both reflective inquiry and defensive dismissiveness. The challenge is being open to it all, to meet people where they are, and to keep moving.

Ever feel like you’re just spinning wheels and not getting anywhere? That was this week. I suppose I need to stick my courage to the sticking place and step forward.

Our team talked about the biggest surprises of our first 10 weeks of the school year - fewer cases but more staff absences than we expected - lots of exhausted people working hard.

We needed a light moment to begin our collaboration this week. Describe a favorite concert and what made it meaningful - from opera to country to funk to metal - our tastes were varied. Our memories all focused on relationships that matter.

One of the biggest leadership challenges is focusing on the here and now while steering the ship with intent and compassion. This week I struggled. Next week I’ll recommit.

“What is our leadership team’s kryptonite? That’s the question we discussed to begin our work this week. The conversation led to insights that were helpful to share out loud.