Principal’s Perspective

Balancing Contentment with Improvement

It does not seem possible that it is already time to write the final article for this school year.  As is the case at the end of any year, there are many lessons that have been learned and many successes to celebrate.  Within each year there is a fine line that we must walk between celebrating our best efforts with a spirit of contentment while continuing to strive to grow and to become even better. 

I have written on this topic before, yet it continues to be on my heart.  Within each school year (and especially at the end) we are faced with a crucial choice to be content.  We can choose to see this as a “glass half full kind of year” or as a “glass half empty kind of year.”  I have committed my life up until now to the world of education.  Although I struggle to play the game of golf, I think that the world of education and the game of golf share some very important similarities.  As I have watched players like Nicklaus, Palmer, Mickelson, and Woods I have heard that each of them continues to strive to play the perfect round of golf.  I enjoy some of the commercials I have seen about Jack Nicklaus.  If he were to take his lowest score per hole at the Masters and put them into one round of golf, he would have shot some incredible score like a 51! 

In much the same way, we in education continue to strive for that perfect year.  We strive for the best class placements and structures, the best team configurations, the best employee additions, the best activities planned, the best lessons delivered, and the best performance measured.  Just as Tiger Woods seems to continue to find a way to top the rankings as he continues his pursuit of the perfect round of golf, we also perform quite well from year to year.  We have maintained our exemplary status at both the state and national levels even though there have been aspects of each year that may have appeared to be less than perfect to some observers.

This will always be the case.  Attempting to please everyone is an incredible task that many would consider futile.  There will always be critics and those who feel that things could have been much better from their perspective.  As long as our pursuit is that perfect round of “educational golf” then whether our score card reads  a par 72 or Jack Nicklaus’ miracle round of 51, we should be pleased that it was the best we could do.  There always will be ways in which we can improve and get even better.  Our desire is to see that all students grow each year.  If we expect this of students, then we should lead the way by our example.  At times the only way for us to improve is to become aware of those areas that might otherwise be a blindspot.  The sooner we become aware of these areas, the more time we have to address them.  If Tiger Woods’ coach or caddie did not offer input following each round (or after each shot in the case of a caddie) then he might not have the feedback he needs to adjust and to perform better with his next golf shot.  In the same way we would ask as concerns arise, that individuals share those concerns with the ones in the best position to address them whether it be a teacher or campus administrator; choosing to remain silent or to refrain from sharing in a timely manner only cheats the individual from an opportunity to grow.  We believe that if such direct communication occurs in a timely manner, then we will be in the best position to improve and move ever closer to that elusive perfect round.  We thank you for partnering with us from year to year as we strive to see that GES Stars continue to shine brightly throughout the GCISD community and throughout the state and nation!