Slice of Life: Within All the Plans ... Compassion Matters #SOL20

Dear Educational Leaders,

At a time when there are so much uncertainty and hopelessness, an act of compassion and leadership stands out.  Moving beyond surveys, draft plans, and checklists to focus on the human aspect of education matters right now.  I am not suggesting that attention to detail is not important, I am suggesting we need more.

Even with the best-laid plans, we must remember that school at the end of the day is about human capital.  We cannot lose sight of the fact that parents are putting the safety of their children in the hands of educators.  More importantly, we cannot dismiss the enormity of responsibility educators are taking on – with relation to their personal health, their family’s health, and the health of their students.  Teaching has never been for the faint of heart and this year it is truly heroic. This year compassion matters.

As a parent, I experienced educational leadership at its best this week.  Leadership that went beyond details, communication, and an action plan.  Leadership that surpassed planning, researching, and providing.  I experienced leadership that focused on humanity and compassion.  Leadership that said, “I see you and I am in this with you.”

My son is beginning his freshman year at college.  His college has a good plan, a hard plan.  Testing before arrival and a drop off that does not allow me to move him in or even see his dorm.  A plan that includes a fourteen-day quarantine for all students regardless of test results.  Airplane style meals delivered three times a day and two outdoor breaks a day.  Fourteen days of confinement in a room with a person he has never met before.  As a parent, so many feelings and questions rushed through my mind when I heard this plan. 

Then I received a video from the President of the college.  He shared that he would be, “In it together so we can be together.”  These words were more than a tag line – he was going to quarantine with the students.  He decided to make a freshman dorm his home for fourteen days with the student body – eating the same food and taking the same breaks. 

As chance would have it, he was assigned to the same dorm as my son.  We met him at drop-off as he was leaving his belongings under the same tent as my son.  He was talking with students and parents.  He was helping unload and taking pictures of families saying goodbye.

 As I watched Ryan head up the hill, I heard, “Are you doing ok?”  I turned to see Brian, the president, looking at me.  I nodded, holding back tears.  He looked me straight in the eye and expressed with conviction and sincerity, “I’ve got them.  I promise we have a plan, a good plan, and I am going to do everything in my power to keep them here and keep them safe.”  Six feet and masks did not allow any distance between us in that moment. 

I share this story in hopes that educational leaders will read it and remember that within all the plans, models, and schedules reside children and families.  They need to know you see them, hear them, and plan to keep their safety at the forefront of everything.  Sometimes it is the small things that make the biggest difference.

I don’t know what the upcoming weeks will bring.  Regardless of the outcome, I will never forget the kindness, compassion, and generosity of Brian Casey.  What do you hope the parents you serve will remember about you?

Sincerely,

Clare