Doing Life

Originally Published September 2016

In a recent conversation that I had with a trusted advisor, we were discussing work, school, and life.  How do all of these components of our lives fit together?  During this discussion he used a phrase that has really stuck with me.  He made the point that when we are in the people business, as both of us are, then we are not so much working together, but we are “doing life together.”  

That statement could not be more true.  And with the recent release of the State Report Card for local districts, I have been even more aware that what we do here at school is not about a component grade on a report card or a calculation that we don’t really understand.  We are educating children, and their content knowledge and skill development are very important.  But so is their ability to develop friendships.  So is our compassion for our students and our colleagues.  It is important to we get to know our community and all of the beautiful and different people who are part of our lives.  

Why?

Because we are doing life together!

Quality school districts certainly have students who can achieve at high levels of a variety of measures from standardized tests to performance assessments.  But quality is not indicated by one type of measure.  In fact, Merriam Webster provides this definition of quality: a high level of value or excellence.

It takes more than a State Report card to be quality.  It takes people who care for one another.  It takes a desire to listen and to consider others and what works for them. Value comes from care.  And we care when we choose to do life together.  

I am grateful for all that I am able to learn each day, but I am truly blessed by those in Dublin City Schools with whom I get to do life.  I hope that you are as well.