Resilience

 

 

    In education there is a great need for resilience when creating innovative ideas. Sustainability of creativity requires a resilient commitment to not return to the status quo. Professional development and learning opportunities commitment is required to promote lifelong learning of staff and students. A great deal of flexibility and even response to unique learning space can be beneficial. Embedding exceptional pioneer teachers helps to keep the philosophies and founding mission of schools, vision and goals productive in the design of continuity improvement plans for learning. This includes leadership succession plan as pioneers of innovation retire that include assurance of the vision. Hiring objectives of character of staff, lifelong learner, engaging students are priority to the creation of balanced lives for teachers.  When teachers are a priority, workload, class sizes, and mentoring are important components for creating the perception of morale and attitude/culture and mission of school. Caring for teachers means paying attention to whether they are overwhelmed or reaching exhaustion.

    Resilience requires the commitment to flexibility and an ability to recover when things do not go as planned. Change is hard but often necessary to move forward in creative innovation. There will always be snafu and unexpected situations that derail a plan. The resilient leader is able to gather themselves and keep moving forward despite the situation. Being proactive to predict challenges is time well spent. Productive paranoia gives perspective to  see the full picture of possibilities both good and bad. It also requires risk and the tenacity to move forward even when it is challenging and disheartening. For me, doing something new and innovative has meant going against the current and being brave to even stand alone for what I believe to be priority. It has meant making sure to surround myself with advisors that support and give perspective.  It has reaped reward and heartache. It has required me to have a godly perspective even reflecting on God's economy.