Educational Leadership & Technology

The third commandment is to “Fill the “buckets” of others. Talk to them in such a way as to increase their self-esteem.” Amen, brothers and sisters! Seriously, how much extra effort is needed to add something complimentary or kind in a discussion? It costs you nothing and means the world to the other person. In the discipline game it is quite essential. Sometimes you need to break a person down in order to get them to admit to a mistake, but after the tearing down, there must be a building up. Students who admit mistakes and seek to correct them need to be complimented for the action; even if it takes some work on your part to acquire the statement of guilt. It is a mark of integrity when a person owns their part of a mistake, and it shouldn’t go unnoticed. When students come to my office for discipline or as part of an investigation, they need to know that I will treat them firm, yet fair; with gentle respect, yet with high standards. I think I have pulled this off in most cases. I’m not perfect and I have made my share of mistakes, but I believe most students leave my office feeling like they were dealt with fairly. When I see them in the hallway or cafeteria, they harbor no malice or ill feelings toward me, which I think is a pretty good sign. I always try to make the final message that no one thinks any less of them as a person for making a mistake, but that part of being an adult is to take responsibility and accept the consequences — but learn from the situation. I don’t have to leave them feeling better about the situation, I could simply hand out the punishment and move on, but where is the learning in that way? How is another person’s bucket filled with that way?

As the Technology Integration Specialist I need to help a lot of teachers who often feel very uncomfortable with the technology. I make sure to compliment what they of accomplished and I point out the wonderful work I see the students doing. This helps them try more and to adventure further into the waters of technology as a vehicle for teaching and learning. Again, I could have a pragmatic approach — time is money and the extra time and care really doesn’t pay off in the end, but I know that isn’t true with teachers who are experimenting with new ideas. Compliments pay off bigger dividends than the cost required to give them; not to mention the fact that is the human thing to do.