With temperatures this morning in the single digits (and to this Southern girl that is cold!!!), today I am reflecting on one of my favorite things to do...jump off a diving board into a cool, clear swimming pool. There's nothing like that moment when your feet leave the board and you are flying in the air and anything is possible. Then you land in the water and the "work" begins. You have to swim....or sink. And sometimes the water is too cold and shocks you, or it's lukewarm and you are disappointed, but you start swimming or floating and after awhile, you get used to it. Before too long, you find yourself saying to others, "Come on in! The water's fine!"
Today I had three precious Springboard moments, those conversations where you are in dream mode, floating in the air and anything is possible. One was with a teacher who came in with an idea about using Bubble Gum Day in February as a service opportunity for her students. Before she left the idea had transformed into a dream of fourth graders running their own store where the proceeds go to charity. Then an elementary student dreamed with me about starting a school newspaper. Later a parent, my boss, and I tossed around ideas about funny promos for our school encouraging sportsmanship among our fans. I happily bounced through my day from one Springboard moment to the next . It was invigorating conversation, and on a cold winter Friday, who couldn't use a little invigoration?
As an administrator, if I am not careful, I can unintentionally stifle creativity in my school. I want people to feel like they can bring ideas to me and dream with me by being the "springboard" not the "brick wall". I should routinely participate in and provide springboard moments for my students, my parents, my teachers, and myself. Everyone needs opportunities to dream and soar and splash---a break from the necessary swimming that we all must do.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
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