Battle weary and laden down with the mantle of leadership clearly weighing heavily upon his shoulders, our usually optimistic principal is looking a bit worse for the wear.  For three years, he has been leading the charge as we struggle toward implementing changes to make our school more efficient, more responsive and ultimately more effective in educating the students who pass through our halls. Creating sustainable leadership and implementing lasting changes is not an easy task and we aren’t anywhere near the finish line.   

Looking at the process from the inside has been an illuminating and humbling experience.  We’ve learned important lessons about our school, one of which is this: A two-year school (Junior High School grades 8-9) such as ours makes it quite difficult to establish and maintain continuity with our students and our community.

I’ve come to the conclusion that a school has to be one of the most complicated systems in which to bring about desired transformation.  Beginning with the simple facts that there are numerous diverse personalities, several stakeholders involved and myriad rules governing everything from purchasing supplies to using technology, it’s enough to push a bright optimistic young administrator right over the edge!  Luckily for us, our leader is tenacious and willing to work shoulder to shoulder with all staff in order to create the school that he envisions. Research at Charlotte Advocates for Education (2004) concludes that leadership within the building is one of the most cited reasons for teachers to remain at a school thus improving teacher retention by creating a desirable workplace.

But change comes hard to some folks and cynicism runs deep for many.  It’s ingrained into the very fiber of their being.  They sit stiffly in our staff meetings, wary of anything that might cause them discomfort.  Later, they complain that the presentation was too “touchy feely” or too long or too academic or not something they can use with their classes.  After all what does reading have to do with horticulture or computer applications?  Even offering up statistics that support reading across the content areas does not sway these teachers.  

Quietly they put the brakes on the wheels of progress (unfortunately, this is our third principal in the last eight years).  They cross their arms and refuse to play– they’ll just sit this one out and hope for another administrator who isn’t so gung ho.

But I have a suspicion that this principal will not be leaving soon, and I have a deep and abiding hope that he will make lasting sustainable changes for the benefit of our students.  Consistency trumps intensity every time.  

Battle weary he may be, but working with the staff and delegating responsibility are marks of good leadership and in the end change will come to our school with or without the naysayers.

Pamelia Valentine is a guest blogger and teacher in the Shelton School District.

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