Little Things Make A Big Difference

As I reflect over the past few weeks at TCEA, I have witnessed small "things" that I know can and will largely impact our school and more importantly our students.  These small "things" seem small when viewed on their own and when they occur infrequently...lack of email responses, missing homework assignments, late to pick up students from arts classes, raised voices at students and co-workers, etc.  Growing up I also heard my elders say that it isn't the BIG things you needed to keep your eyes open for because those BIG things you would see coming and with a little work/attention you can try to move out the way to save destruction.  No...it was the small "things" you had to keep a look out for.  You know the not eating right here and there that would lead to weight gain or health issues.  The side way glances and "lip smacks" that would lead to your mama asking you to get a switch to use on your behind.  The girl that lends a listening ear to your boyfriend after each argument leads to the two of them getting married five years later. Didn't happen to me but I was there to comfort my friend when it all went down.

Anyway...the small things really do matter and it doesn't matter how well the BIG things turn out if we don't manage the small things.  These small things (emails, deadlines, etc.) they will pile up and block out the success that we were headed to.  It is time for all of us to commit to doing the small things well.

When thinking about this topic and reading about how to share the importance of the small things with those I serve with, I ran across the term called "social proof".  This fundamental principal of human behavior states that people's behavior is shaped by what is done  by those around them and more importantly those whom they strongly identify with. So if people think that no one cares about the small things and doing those with excellence doesn't matter then our environment becomes one where those vital steps are ignored and those areas will build and create issues in the future.

I don't want to lead a school where those vital and intricate things are ignored.  Especially when the lack of doing those small things impact our kids in a negative way.  Sonya Levien shared that "Small things have a way of overmastering the great.  This small press can destroy a kingdom."

Isn't our "kingdom" worth fighting for?

Week of April 4-8, 2016*

Monday, April 4

• Literacy PD: K/1 at 10; 4th-6th at 11:00; and 2nd/3rd at 12:15
• Staff Mtg at 3:30

Tuesday, April 5

• Progress Monitoring Red Students
• Arts PLC at 1:45
• Child Abuse Training at 3:30-4:45

Wednesday, April 6

• Progress Monitoring Red Students
• Math PD:  K/1 at 10; 4th-6th at 11:00; and 2nd/3rd at 12:15

Thursday, April 7

• EC PLC
• EOG Night 6-7 PM

Friday, April 8

• FEO Mtg at 8 AM

* Observations of Art Staff Will Take Place This Week