It’s What We Do

President's Corner

Thank you. You are appreciated.

Those few words can mean all the difference in difficult times. More than ever, it is imperative that as superintendents, in fact as educators, we support one another. AASA’s Live Well. Lead Well. campaign was launched to do just that, to raise awareness of the importance of not only taking care of others, as we do every day, but taking care of ourselves as well.

The past two-and-a-half years have been stressful. Together, we have weathered turbulent times, trauma and uncertainty. We have spent endless hours worrying, protecting and caring for our students and for those who serve our children and our communities.

We have long recognized the direct link between employee health, success, engagement and commitment. Employee health has become a top priority over the past several months and, as superintendents, we find ourselves in the position to provide another layer of leadership through challenging times.

How can we pave a path for emotional wellness?

• Model positive energy. As the district leader, you set the tone for the school community. Find the positive wherever possible, turn challenges into opportunities for growth and learning, and set the benchmark for acceptable behavior. Staying positive also benefits you physically and emotionally. Remember to take care of yourself!


• Communicate regularly with empathy, truth and direction. Most people do not want to be negative and are probably suffering in some way or another. View their negativity differently. Listen and offer solutions. Show that you care. Be truthful and direct, leaving no doubt what your intention is and that you have everyone’s best interests at heart.


• Be an active listener. Find time to meet with your faculty, staff and community. Listening intently and letting your school community know you are there is essential to building trust and lessening feelings of isolation. If necessary, use technology to leverage the opportunity to connect.


• Be gracious and show gratitude. Kindness will always prevail. When people feel appreciated and supported, they are more likely to be part of the team, creating a healthier environment for everyone and paving a path to positivity. What’s more, gratitude can improve one’s own sense of well-being.


• Provide additional wellness resources when available. These challenging times have put school systems in the position of having to provide resources that under other circumstances may have been provided by other organizations in the community.
  
  We all recognize the significant role school systems and their leaders play in the health and well-being of our communities and how important we are to each other. AASA and superintendents across the country have been at the forefront of identifying and providing means for those in their communities to access these resources.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for keeping our schools, staff and students healthy — physically, emotionally and academically. I know we are all doing our best in these difficult times. Let’s exercise these guiding principles, band together as educators and leaders, and support one another whenever possible and necessary.

We are in a position to lead our communities through tragedy and trauma. It’s what we do. As superintendents, we have shown an incredible ability to be flexible, creative and innovative in how we handle and approach both. I encourage you all to remain positive, empathetic and gracious.

Above all, remember that self-care is of primary importance and a prerequisite to taking care of others. You are appreciated!