Making a Difference

By Frank Bellomo, Elementary Principal

From the time a child steps onto a bus or enters the building, there are human actions that can greatly impact them for the day.  The same goes for the adults that enter our buildings as well. Striving for academic success in a school is a given, but something equally important is the feeling our school community has when they are in our company.  Academics alone in a school does not equal success... Not in my book anyways. A strong culture and climate does not exist just because there is an administrator or teachers in the building.  It takes a great deal of work to build and sustain a culture that is inviting to those who enter a school each day.

The big question becomes, who can make a difference in a school? Of course we could answer this quickly, perhaps with one word, but for the sake of giving you some ideas for your own culture, I'll give you a short list of examples of some of the people who can, and do, make a difference each day for the entire team.

Who Can Make a Difference?

The custodian who helps students by opening food in the lunchroom, zipping up coats, or shows up to after school events when off duty,

The secretaries who greet all people with a smile and who listen to “behaviorally challenged” students read to them each day,

The para-educator who takes the extra time to build a relationship with a student who at times can be very tough and difficult to connect with,

The PTO moms who give countless hours to the school without expecting a dime in return,

The child who notices another child without anyone to play with at lunch and offers to play with him or her,

The parent volunteer who helps coach Science Olympiad even though this role is something entirely new to them,

The first year teacher who devotes so much time to their craft and is excited to share new ideas with the team,

The cafeteria server who understands that kids forget to order lunch and sometimes they may not have money on their card but doesn’t embarrass them and instead feeds them with a smile,

The administrators who show empathy and compassion for everyone on the team,

The staff member who bought a winter hat and a pair of gloves for a student in need,

The veteran teacher who takes the time and patience to mentor, challenge, and help those around them,

The bus driver who greets each kid, every morning and afternoon, with a smile or a hello,

The librarian who looks forward to reading with the students or making a broadcasting team with them,

The social worker who tries to find the good in every student,

The building substitute, who rather than see the school not have a Lego Robotics team, volunteers to coach and has to learn everything from ground up,

The health aide who goes above and beyond and knows a simple Band-Aid or reassuring voice will do the trick for almost all school ailments,

The teacher who takes the extra time to learn about the interests and hobbies of each student in the class,

The staff member who looks out for the team and in any simple way, helps a colleague in need,

The crossing guard who faces the cold rain and blowing wind, but still manages to make sure he or she is upbeat and ready to greet the kids,

The coach who through building relationships has earned the trust of the entire team, 

And the list goes on and on and on.  No matter what you do, big or small, it can positively impact another person.  Your ability to recognize the needs of others and work to meet their needs, whatever they might be, both create and sustain the culture and climate of the building.

Anybody, on any given day, can make a difference for the team.  It doesn’t matter who you are or what your title is.

  

Everyone matters! 

Everyone Can Make a Difference.  How will you?


Follow Frank Bellomo on Twitter @FbellomoB