The Engine of Success
Success is the Mina Lopato theme for 2022
Daniel Kim’s theory of success works on the premise that as the quality of relationships rises, the quality of thinking improves which leads to an increase in the quality of actions and results.
Achieving high quality results has a positive effect on the quality of relationships which creates a reinforcing engine of success.
What does Success mean for us?
As a team staff brainstormed the different elements of success and what that looks like. We realised very quickly that how we defined success looked like how we would define quality relationships: balance, trust, energy, compromise, a sense of achievement, authenticity, flexibility commitment, team work, going the extra mile, honesty are all elements of a quality relationship and for us as a team we all believe these are our measure of success as a school.
And so…?
Well if this is what success feels like for adults why should it be any different for children. If we want children to have quality results, we have to build our relationships with them so that the quality of their thinking and their actions ensure the quality results we want.
Nice in theory but unless we put ourselves in the shoes of a child, it is hard to really feel what this is like from a child’s point of view. Enter Marissa, our new Grade 0 teacher who prepared a variety of typical school type activities for us to do.
In the Shoes of a Child
It has been a long time since staff as adults have been given activities to do in a classroom type setting, at desks, together and individually that challenge our creative, problem solving, visual perception, fine motor, artistic and mathematical skills. The very same skills our children are presented with every day at school.
And you know what it was hard!
Some of us found tasks difficult. We didn’t always know what to do. We didn’t like what we were being asked to do, some of us just wanted to just get finished and in each of us we saw the very same things we see in children.
We complained, we looked for reassurance, we asked each other for help and “copied” whomever was next to us. We were competitive and insecure, we even had a tattletaler among us ;)
We spoke about stereotyping and how construction is not for ‘boys’ and creativity is not for ‘girls’. We talked through what interests people rather than the stereotypical directions we unconsciously steer children without a second thought.
“Lessons we want our kids to learn
If you make a mistake, apologise
If you are thankful, show it
If you are confused, ask questions
If you learn something, teach others
If you are stuck, ask for help
If you love someone, tell them
if you are wrong, fess up
if you trip, get back up
If someone needs help, help them
If you see wrong, take a stance.”
Some staff were uncomfortable on their chairs and chose to sit on the floor, some were unfocused because they were tired or hungry or thirsty or just didn’t feel like doing things that were hard.
And so we saw what it is like to be a child at school because everything that we discussed about how we felt, we had at some point heard from the children in our care. We were them - just bigger and with a better understanding and ability to identify what we felt and why.
We didn’t have to cry, tantrum, be defiant or say we were bored like our children do. We could say, I feel unsure of my ability to do something or I don’t like that this task highlights my weaknesses, I am unsure of what to do or I just need a little more time to finish.
As a team we trusted that none of us would be judged as less than for our efforts or outcomes, we knew how to ask for help when necessary from each other. We got the genuine validation we all needed from the “teachers”. No one had to give up because there was someone to help, encourage and see us through.
We built on our relationships, when we had the same issue as someone else on the team, our thinking improved because we could communicate our needs, we tried different strategies whether individually or with a peer and our results were fantastic! Least of all because they were unique to each member of the team.
This was success at its best. This is what we want for staff and children and we have the team, the cogs and the commitment to keep our engine of success running.
Looking forward to a successful year together.