Hello all.
Sorry. Sorry for dipping last week. Dropped the mic and walked away, if you will. Not sure that was fair. So, I'm back. Back in the seat.
It was quite a week last week. Actually, it's been a semester so far. Guess I got comfortable and wasn't used to the stuff. Or, at least the tough stuff. The not so fun, yucky stuff. It's been coming at me more and more. But, it's why I chose to sit in the seat. Right?
Then, there was the open communication. More open than usual. Personal. Emotional. It was a lot. People were worried. Many reached out. From all corners. Checking on me. I was fine then. I am fine now. I process a little differently than most. I don't hide what I am going through. I apologize for bringing everyone into that, though. It was a little too much for a school leader to take that approach. Not to say I will hide my emotions in the future, but not likely to go that level again. Gotta think about the seat I sit in.
And there was social media. I posted a bit about our Prom dilemma on Facebook, or Meta. There was anger. And there was support. It all devolved very quickly. Got ugly. Very ugly. I did not participate in that and stopped reading it. Still have not read it. Took a 36-hour break from all social media. That was a great decision. Helped me get centered again. Helped the seat get comfortable again.
A sidebar, if you will allow. The reaction by parents versus the reaction by the students was quite stark. I speak with a wide range students every day. Of course, last week, the conversation centered on Prom quite a bit. To say their conversations with me were different would be putting it mildly. I think we could learn a LOT from our kids. I'll leave it at that.
As I've reflected and tried to make sense of the last few weeks, I've gone in a lot of directions emotionally. Good and bad. Ultimately, it all comes down to people fighting for what they feel is right. Some of it I get, or try to. Some of it I question. The scorched Earth approach is not the best. The use of derisive language is not great either. Slander, defamation, and cyber-bullying was on full display. I do not agree with coming at a solution in that way and I cannot give those things more of me than is necessary. But, the seat does get really hot at times.
Anyway. I pick myself up. Brush the dirt off my shoulder. And get back to it. There will be great days ahead. A lot of them, I am sure. There will be bad days. And really bad days. Gotta roll with them. It's the seat I sit in.
I want to end with a little bit of thanks. The outpouring of support last week was overwhelming. So many incredibly nice, thoughtful emails. Thank you! Every one of them was appreciated. I know there is a large percentage of people that are supportive of me. I do know that. And always have. Again, thank you.
I guess I'll leave it there. First blog the second time around in the books.
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