Passion Over Pandemic (Jodi Mahoney)
Can you feel it? The power of the pandemic pushing the passion right out of you? It’s happening. The pandemic mandates logistical adjustments daily, making the work of leadership more planning than passion on most days. But, you can find time – each day or at least each week, to choose passion over pandemic.
I tweeted today, “As a school Principal, it is my privilege and pleasure to always be a teacher first. Each fall, I schedule myself to share my writer’s notebook with Grades 3-5. I always write them a new poem to inspire their writing.…” @jodi_mahoney (10/12/20) Writing is my thing. I love to share my craft with young writers, show them my writer’s notebook, explain my craft and write for them as an audience. This brings me joy! And therefore, I squeeze in my 15-20 minute presentation over the course of a few weeks to get into these classrooms (even virtually).
For my students in K-2, I always do a read aloud for them. This year’s read aloud, I Believe I Can by Grace Beyers – a beautifully diverse book with a powerful message. And the joy that reading this book brings to me and to the students – not to mention the respite (albeit very short) of planning and teaching that it allows for their teachers while I read is the gift that I can offer. It fuels my day and offers moments of passion over pandemic.
In the craziness of Pandemic logistics, you MUST find ways to CARVE out your passion for teaching, education, and fostering relationships. This is the work that brought us into the world of education and this is the work that will save us from the pandemic protocols that our leadership world has become.
I challenge you – how will you put your passions over the pandemic?
Heart-y Leadership 