A Culture Built With Synergy

I was reflecting this weekend and had to blog about two powerful statements that really resonated with me this week.

David Guerin (@DavidGeurin) tweeted this statement:

D. Guerin Tweet

I have had the privilege of working in one of the very best districts in New Jersey.  It is no accident that I am such a strong leader because of the many leaders (admin. and other teacher leaders alike) who paved the way for me, guided me, and supported me.  For that, I am eternally grateful.

To delve deeper, what I think so many (people) miss is that they don't need an official invitation to lead.  There is so much work to be done.  Taking initiative, being willing plus having the outlet to enact change is what proves to be the main ingredients to build a capacity of leaders.

This statement also reminds me of the many posts that Jimmy Casas (@casas_jimmy) tweets about Teacher Leadership and "carrying the banner."  To me, his statements ring true that all teachers are capable of make a change and thus, everyone should be leading.

This profession is a give and take.  A relationship is built, strengthened, and sustained because of how much each party gives and how little they take for granted.

The other tweet that resonated with me, I credit to my Instructional Supervisor, Greg Jablonski (@gjablonski24 ) who wrote:

G. Jablonski Tweet

I found this quiet powerful because everyone who contributes, small or big, allows the entire team to move forward.  What energizes me is the thought of collaborating to benefit the students, whom we are ultimately here to serve.

Through my reflections this weekend, one word that jumps out at me is synergy.   Synergy is defined as "the interaction of two or more agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate parts."  What a wonderful word to have in any school culture. 

Thank you, David, Jimmy, and Greg for all your insights.