As you spend time with our students and staff, you begin to realize the fast paced world that we all live in today. Everything is fast, quick, faster. And then everything must be decided quickly into something you like and agree with or dislike and disagree with. However, take heart - the ability to slow down to communicate can be seen in many of classrooms daily.
What I see reinforced daily by some of our outstanding teachers is that slowing down and using stories can be highly effective when communicating with this age group. Stories, personal reflections, and memories are an excellent tool to talk and engage with each other. When I am in classrooms, there is power when a teacher or student takes the time to share. This also takes place in conversations between classes, when students visit teachers during lunch, and during extracurricular time. Stories matter - especially when they are personal stories. While one may receive the teenage eye roll or distant look, our kids are listening. Our students, compared to their peers, are excellent at personal interactions with each other and adults. This is an area that makes our campus very unique. During this week, we had an international speaker visit and two different groups visit and tour WHS. One of the common compliments delivered to me as people leave after their time with us is the ability of our students to engage directly. Eye contact, body language, ability to ask questions and true listening skills are skills that this community develops at the highest levels. Do we as parents still receive one word answers, if not just the angstful teenage grunt - yes! But do rest easy that when our students are engaged with teachers, visitors and each other, they are phenomenal. Everyone returned to campus after Spring Break rested and ready to go. We are excited as we head towards the last few months. We have a multitude of major events to go, and we look forward to an exciting and memorable finish. Have a wonderful weekend.
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Steve Ramsey: WHS Principal BlogPrincipal's Weekly Reflections Archives
May 2019
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