An Immortal Team?

Are you immortal?

Of course we know the answer.  Nobody is immortal.

Whether good or bad, we tend to think of ourselves as super-human or even irreplaceable.  I am 100% guilty of feeling like I am the only one who can do my job or the only person who can make sure our building runs smoothly or facilitate solving problems.  My favorite place to be in our district is at Novi Woods.  I am often required to be at workshops or meeetings away from the building, but I feel most satisfied when I am at Novi Woods working directly with our staff, parents, and students.    Life, however, has other plans--occassionally.

I didn't know what back spasms were until I first experienced one in the summer of 2013.  I learned that a back spasm can make you laugh and cry at the same time.  I learned what it means to look at your wife and say, "Just push me over a cliff so this can all be over."  I learned that sometimes your body is in charge of you so much that you can't walk, stand, or sit without being in extreme pain to the point that not even strong medications from your emergency room visit seem to help.  Fortunately, this happened in the summer, and I was able to heal without it impacting my work.  (I did get a brief reprieve from vacuuming and mowing the lawn at home!)

My back spasm returned with a vengeance last weekend.  Oh I wish I could say I had hurt my back by lifting something heavy or by wrestling with a wild animal to protect my family.  I'm embarrased to say it happened when I bent over our garden cart to remove a piece of plastic.  Yes, a piece of plastic sent me to the ER and has kept me away from work.

The doctor said this would take several days to get back to a manageable level.  Begrudgingly I gave it a day and stayed home from work.  After some reflection, I believe I have only ever missed about 4 days of school in over 20 years for any medical reason for either myself or my family.  After all, I'm immortal!

My staff was amazing.  I sent them an email Monday morning, and everyone was supportive and understanding.  They reminded me to listen to my wife, the doctor, and my body.

My wife suggested I stay home one more day.  I, of course, said I was fine and went to work on Tuesday.  I had some ibuprofen which allowed me take the edge off the pain and to drive safely (The other meds did not allow me to drive.).  While I moved in slow motion, Tuesday was a busy and long day.

And then Wednesday came.

Wow.  By 5:45 AM I knew I was in trouble.  But--there was absolutely no way I could miss work.  We had a school improvement team meeting scheduled.  I had car duty and morning announcement responsibilities.  Our noon aides were meeting for lunch to make plans for the rest of the year and for next year.  I had several students who needed my assistance.  I had an observation to complete, and I was hosting a meeting for kindergarten parents.  Throw in some much-needed data analysis and a couple of reports, there was no way I could not be at work.  After all, I'm immortal.  All I had to do was get dressed and in my car.  It would be fine.

But...When your wife needs to put your socks on you, your immortality comes into question, and you begin to think clearly.  The  pain shook me to decide to stay horizontal, on the strong meds, and in bed for the day.

My next thoughts were about how to make sure Woods would be OK.

Step 1.) Contact your boss.  I am blessed.  I mean--BLESSED that I can call my superintendent at any time of the day or night for help.  Within minutes and by 6:30 he rearranged  his schedule to do my car duty, morning announcements, and to host the kindergarten parent meeting with another staff member.

Step 2.) Alert your secretaries  Mrs. Rodriguez and Mrs. Marson, our school secretaries, are amazing.  We call and text each other almost each morning at 6 to make sure the day will go smoothly.  Without missing a beat, Mrs. Rodriguez proclaimed that I shouldn't worry about a thing.  She and Mrs. Marson would handle everything.  (And they do on a regular basis.)

Step 3.) Share with trusted colleagues.  The administrators in Novi are more a team than ever in our history.  One simple email, and two of my closest friends and fellow principals knew they are "on call" for any emergencies that may arise at Woods.

Step 4.)  Reach out to staff.  I called a member of our improvement team, and she agreed to include me on speaker phone for the improvement team meeting.  I also emailed the entire staff.  The improvement team met, and we covered everything and more on our agenda.  Staff reminded me to listen to my wife and to not worry.  They are so understanding and supportive.

Do I worry?  Yes.  I like to be at work.  I've been told I make a difference, and my students depend on our team to be as effective as possible.

Which, I suppose, is the point.

I'm not immortal, but the team at Novi Woods is stronger than any one person.  It needs to be, and surely it is stronger than the principal.  Perhaps the most important action a principal can take is to build the best possible team for the school and students?  The team at Novi Woods is stellar, and I have no doubt today will be a great day at Novi Woods because our students, staff, parents, and community are a team.  Like we say, "It takes teamwork to make the dream work!"

Now about tomorrow...my back had better cooperate!