CONNECTIONS QUARTERLY FALL 2021
WELCOME
Now What ?
Even a sesquipedalian ( someone who uses lots of big words ) must feel at a loss of how to describe the past year and half . A recurring theme I hear in our CSEE Virtual Department Meetings is not simply the severity of the situations schools have faced , but the ever-changing nature of the reality . Needs have been changing faster than plans can be implemented . When this issue of Connections was first envisioned , we expected that the threat of the pandemic would have faded and that schools would be entering into a new normal . But we are all aware of how the virus continues to be a threat to so many , especially the youngest among us .
While we are in this liminal phase , schools can still focus on one thing in their control : improving the way we treat each other . Increasingly , issues are arising that cause us to look at members of our own community with suspicion or as the enemy . This divisiveness is poison to the kind of communities we want to flourish at our schools .
No one hire , professional development conference , head ’ s letter , parent program , or student assembly will fix all of this . But all of these things can slowly , hopefully reverse this recent trend . What follows are some thoughts I have collected recently to offer as a guide in the process :
1 . Interact in person . Research and our common experience shows that it is much easier to be “ mean ” the more virtual and anonymous the interaction . If at all possible , ensure that potentially difficult conversations are done in person and that all parties have first introduced themselves to each other .
2 . It ’ s not about winning . Often in a difficult conversation we feel that our success is based on the other person agreeing with us . Reframe success to mean “ all parties understanding the other ’ s reasoning .” This can be a huge step toward reducing hostility and having productive conversations .
Continues on page 13
CSEE Connections Fall 2021 Page 1