When times are hard, it’s hard not to imagine them getting worse.
It’s why I really do understand when some school leaders – and even system leaders – fall for the trap of letting fear drive their decision making.
Of course, if our fear was ChatGPT and we started inputting a knowledge base to work from like:
- “I’m so afraid that we’re about to lose complete control of the kids.”
- “I’m afraid everything is about to get worse.”
- “I’m scared that I won’t be able to do it.”
- “I’m nervous about parental backlash and a career death by WhatsApp group.”
- “I’m petrified that my colleagues will think I’m soft and weak.”
- “I’m worried that I won’t be consistent.”
- “I’m really cautious about giving people ‘one more thing’ to do.”
- “I’m concerned that I’m not going to be able to sustain teaching as a career.”
- “I’d like to be more relational, but I reckon the school leaders will disapprove big time.”
… it would probably give us some rather grim suggestions for creating environments where young people become more kind, cooperative, resilient and compassionate.
Luckily for the entire community at Fitzroy North Primary School in Melbourne, their Principal doesn’t let her FearGPT make strategic decisions. Tania Sorbello is fervently rational, honest and brave in her approach.
Since commencing their Real Schools Partnership around a year ago, their Attitude To School Survey data has transformed:
Fitzroy North PS is just one exemplar of a school benefiting from a leader ruled by courage and evidence instead of fear and predictions of doom.
Does this Home Truth read a little like a subliminal ad for Real Schools? Yeah maybe. I don’t really give a shit if I’m honest.
All teachers and leaders need to know that optimism doesn’t just feel better than pessimism as a strategy – it’s infinitely superior.
Keep fighting that good fight,
P.S. We work in partnership with over 300 schools across Australia. If you’re a leader of a school and this Home Truth has got you interested in partnering with us to embed restorative practices at your school, take a look at this video: What is Partnership?
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