Merrilee Wright is a brand-new Expert Facilitator with us at Real Schools.
She just nailed her very first Professional Learning Day with a new Partner School – like really nailed it. The school loved it, the video wrap-up she produced was awesome and the team circled the wagons to celebrate her win.
And me? I jumped in too… with a warning.
I reminded the team – in front of Merrilee no less – that the second PL Day is often way tougher than the first. That we needed to prep Merrilee for the reality that the universe has a way of kicking you in the backside the moment we get ahead of ourselves. That we can’t just be cheerleaders.
Another colleague and Expert Facilitator, Trish Coelho, called me on it. She asked, “Could you not just let her have her win?!”
And she was dead right.
Sometimes we overcorrect. We get so fixated on ‘next steps’ or ‘what comes after’ that we suck the joy out of a moment that deserves to breathe.
Teachers, take it from me:
- If a kid finally uses kind words with a peer, cheer.
- If a parent backs you after a tricky convo, cheer.
- If your colleague sticks the landing with a tough class, cheer.
You don’t always need a plan, a correction, a critique or to improve a little bit more. Sometimes pom poms are the whole point.
So, Merrilee, consider this my slightly sheepish, very public apology. You were amazing. That day was perfect. And I should’ve just said that.
Pom poms up.
Keep fighting that good fight,
P.S. School leaders, I’ve had a pretty incredible response to my Student Behaviour Overhaul online workshop, running on Tuesday 6 May.
I’m not talking theory. I’m talking practical strategies that can be implemented immediately – without adding anything extra to your staff’s plates.
It’s not too late to register – just click here.
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