The Road (Not) Taken
January 1, 2022
As we come to the end of another Gregorian calendar year, this cycle gives us an opportunity to not only look forward, but to reflect back. To learn from our experience.
I often reference the quote attributed to John Dewey, one of the founders of modern education thinking, “We don’t learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.” So this post does just that.
On a personal level, this past year was the first full year of my work as a consultant. My second book was published. I led a few webinars here and there. Some keynotes, mini-courses, and breakouts. Was a guest on lots of different podcasts and wrote a few guest blogs. And I did tons of coaching with school leaders.
A highlight was starting back in schools in May with trainings for teachers, principals, and district leaders. A significant part of my work has been through Solution Tree with schools wanting to advance their Professional Learning Community at Work processes. It’s been an amazing year!
Some of the incredible educators I got to work with in 2021 from Port Clinton, OH, New Prairie, IN, Houston, TX, and Cody, WY.
What I've Learned
The path taken since even before the start of the pandemic wasn’t one that I saw coming, or even considered making happen this early in my career. But it’s definitely been rewarding. Here are a few of my reflections on the past twelve months:
1) Educators continue to do profound work
The past twelve months have been the longest decade. Seriously.
Despite the challenges, or maybe because of them, educators are doing more than ever to meet the needs of kids. The circumstances are daunting. And their passion for students and families comes through time and time again.
We are building the plane as it flies–not just with the distance learning challenges being confronted and new guidelines with masking and quarantining and and and–but with dealing with the new issues of gaps in learning, social-emotional challenges, family arrangements, etc. Educators are making it happen, and I feel so very blessed to serve alongside amazing educators all across this planet. The look in their eyes as we work together, the determination to do what will have the greatest impact, and the tenacity to see it through. These are the qualities that I see in educators with whom I get to work.
2) School Leadership Matters
The work of school leaders is more important than ever. And building principals, especially, make a significant difference. The common denominator between all of the great schools I get to work in is great leadership–from Washington to Florida, Minnesota to Texas, and New York to California, and every place in between. School leaders listen, listen, and continue to listen with their hearts, allocate resources, align plans, creatively support staff, love their staff, and partner with others. School leaders matter, and school leadership matters.
3) Relationships Matter
At the start of the day, and at the end of the day, we are all human beings first and foremost. As human beings, our connections to each other are what makes life interesting, fun, and challenging. We must never forget this–that every classroom, school, district, state, is full of people. Each is more than just a name or an organization. Each is full of human beings who yearn for connection, love, and hope. Educators and school leaders know this, and they make it happen each and every day for each and every person. And they do this while also seeking these same connections and support.
Some of the incredible educators I got to work with in 2021 from Beatrice, NE, Hamshire-Fannett, TX, Denton, TX, Huntsville, AL, and South Newton, IN.
At the start of 2021 I had ventured down a path less traveled. At that time, not unlike most people, I had no idea where the year would take me. It reminds me of the off-quoted poem by Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken.
Before closing out 2021, here it is for your enjoyment.
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
May 2022 bring you great joy, satisfaction, and contentment as we each continue on our paths, and in 12 months look back “with a sigh” and know that our decisions “made all the difference.”
Questions for Reflection
- What forks in your roads have you approached or are approaching?
- What considerations go into making your decision?
- How will you know your impact (on yourself and others)?
Do you have a story you’d like to share?
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