To be honest, I feel like Mary and Martha after their brother, Lazarus died. I need you to show up in this moment, Jesus!
Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV states, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” So what time is this, God? Is it time for me to keep silent, or is it time for me to speak? Fear of the “unknown” tells me to be silent; however, you didn’t give me the spirit of fear. You gave me “the spirit of power, love, and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV). Therefore, if it is your will for me to speak out, I need you to show me how to use the power that you gave me from on high. I need you to show me how to love those who ignore my very presence and question the authority that YOU gave me to speak boldly at a time such as this. I need you to show me how to use self-control when my emotions want to hijack the situation. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen!
On June 2, 2021, I received devastating news. Our principal, Dr. Lynette Alexander, was informed that she would be reassigned to her seventh school in our district. (A principal, who worked tirelessly to ensure that our students, faculty, and staff remained safe during a pandemic, was reassigned. A principal, who advocated to ensure that our students received individualized support, was reassigned. A principal, who called us family and strived to build a positive inclusive working environment, was reassigned. A principal, who implemented district policies with fidelity while making sure that the weight of the heavy load didn’t crush us, was reassigned. A principal, who believed in celebrating students’ successes, no matter how big or small, was reassigned. A principal, who knows our students by name and worked to build relationships within our community, was reassigned. A principal, who led us to increase our statewide letter grade and had data to support student growth, was reassigned. A principal, who ended the year, planning for next year was reassigned.) Why? Why would anyone do this to our school family after the year we had?
In a state of desperation, I expressed my concerns to an elected official in an email. (I know for a fact that I was not the only one.) It was important for us to make our concerns known, prior to the board approving this decision.
On June 3, 2021, I attended a public school board meeting. I was certain that they would address our concerns prior to the official vote. (After all, they value our professional opinions, right?) Well, when a board member asked if there was any discussion from the board regarding the decision to move our principal, no one said a word. (Unfortunately, this included the one elected official who voted against the transfer.) No one advocated for her. It was as if her 25 years in the district meant nothing. No one acknowledged the 9 teachers who sat in that room to support our principal or the others who could not come inside because of limited space. No one advocated for us. No one advocated for our school. No one stopped and said, “Wait! We shouldn’t put them through one more change right now. 6 different principals and 9 different assistant principals for 1 school in 16 years is enough!” No one said, “Wait! I know we made this decision behind closed doors, but maybe we should table this decision. Maybe we don’t have all the facts.” No one stopped to consider the statistics that speak against this high turnover rate! No one stopped to consider the year that we had. We wore a mask during class, practiced social distancing, endured cohort A and cohort B schedules, taught virtual classes, cleaned obsessively, endured change after change after change, like every other educator around the world, and continued to work even when we were physically and emotionally drained. Why wasn’t any of that considered? Was their hearts hardened like Pharoah? Are they blinded by prejudices and biases? If so, I know you can make the blind see! Why would anyone think that a move would be beneficial to anyone at this time?
I understand we aren’t “entitled” to an explanation. At the end of the day, they can do what they want but it does not mean that they should. After all, this is one of the many reasons educators continue to leave the profession. Therefore, I cannot be silent any longer and that leaves me at an impasse. Oh, Father! Help me continue to love and practice self-control during this injustice. While it is no secret that I love and respect Dr. Lynette Alexander, I am advocating for our students. They deserve consistency, not another change in our administration.
Just think about it. Then, go to the Father and pray about it!
#Soul Searching with Our Father#
#There’s still time to make this right#
#Our students matter too#
