Leading by Example:
Respect, Empathy, and LOTS of Apologies
Part I:
A Memorial to Phife Dawg
Adding the Tribe Called Quest quote to this page was one of the first steps I took when making my portfolio. So it's only right that this story comes first:
On March 24, 2016, I found out one of Tribe's original trifecta of emcees had passed away at the young age of 46.
I quickly used my planning period to turn my Journalism lesson for that day into a 50-minute slice of time dedicated to honoring the memory of Phife Dawg, a man who openly rapped with confidence about his own distaste for his short stature, high-pitched voice, and struggle with diabetes.
The hallway display below is the end product--not as much writing as we had hoped, but there was cake involved (brought by the kids to celebrate my belated birthday--gotta love elective classes).
On March 24, 2016, I found out one of Tribe's original trifecta of emcees had passed away at the young age of 46.
I quickly used my planning period to turn my Journalism lesson for that day into a 50-minute slice of time dedicated to honoring the memory of Phife Dawg, a man who openly rapped with confidence about his own distaste for his short stature, high-pitched voice, and struggle with diabetes.
The hallway display below is the end product--not as much writing as we had hoped, but there was cake involved (brought by the kids to celebrate my belated birthday--gotta love elective classes).
The Memorial: RIP Phife Dawg
A hallway memorial to Malik Isaac Taylor, aka Phife Dawg (late member of A Tribe Called Quest). Listen to one of Tribe's most famous songs below.
What does Phife Dawg have to do with leadership?
Holding our mini-funeral for Phife is an example of the nontraditional way I lead in my classroom and at North Panola. These are the few principles that I've come to hold onto strongly as a school and classroom leader over the past two years:
1. Empathy
2. Respect
3. Authenticity
4. Joy
As soon as I learned Phife died, it hit me right in the heart. I loved his clever raps, I loved his dry humor, I loved his self-deprecating humor (even as a man in the "tough-or-die" world of 90s hip-hop). I knew right away I had to share this with the kids--this was something authentic to me that I knew the kids would find valuable. I wanted us to show empathy by memorializing a life lost. I wanted to bring joy by celebrating the wonderful work this man had done. And finally, we showed Phife respect by observing his legacy. I also showed the kids enough respect by sharing this with them (and expecting them to take it seriously). Finally, they showed respect by reading, discussing, listening, and showing appreciation.
I am by no means the most adult teacher at NPHS. I often wonder if I'm too silly--laughing too much, playing with kids too much, not taking much seriously. But I take the kids seriously as people, I take their success seriously, and I use all my goofiness as a way to bring some joy to these kids.
My way of leading them is by being the type of leader I think they deserve--someone who empathizes, gives (and commands) respect, acts as a real, authentic person, and works to bring joy.
1. Empathy
2. Respect
3. Authenticity
4. Joy
As soon as I learned Phife died, it hit me right in the heart. I loved his clever raps, I loved his dry humor, I loved his self-deprecating humor (even as a man in the "tough-or-die" world of 90s hip-hop). I knew right away I had to share this with the kids--this was something authentic to me that I knew the kids would find valuable. I wanted us to show empathy by memorializing a life lost. I wanted to bring joy by celebrating the wonderful work this man had done. And finally, we showed Phife respect by observing his legacy. I also showed the kids enough respect by sharing this with them (and expecting them to take it seriously). Finally, they showed respect by reading, discussing, listening, and showing appreciation.
I am by no means the most adult teacher at NPHS. I often wonder if I'm too silly--laughing too much, playing with kids too much, not taking much seriously. But I take the kids seriously as people, I take their success seriously, and I use all my goofiness as a way to bring some joy to these kids.
My way of leading them is by being the type of leader I think they deserve--someone who empathizes, gives (and commands) respect, acts as a real, authentic person, and works to bring joy.
The Assignment:
The Art of Apologizing
On an average day, I make about 1,000,000 mistakes in my classroom. I also work to remedy each of those mistakes in an authentic way.
I am a big believer in showing respect via apologizing. When I mess up with a kid, I apologize. I do it in an appropriate, individual way--and sometimes in front of the whole class, if necessary. I'm not afraid to look "weak" or "be wrong" in front of students.
This is yet another way I lead students--by being human. I make mistakes, I apologize, and we keep learning. This is both me modeling how to be a leader for my students and a way of building positive classroom culture.
In a lot of ways, this takes away the extreme pressure of the "Who's gonna win? Students or teacher?" culture that can overtake classes. I work to move my classes toward an atmosphere and culture of mutual respect, and that has turned most of my classes into something magical.
Is it always perfect? No. But would I have it any other way? Nope.
I am a big believer in showing respect via apologizing. When I mess up with a kid, I apologize. I do it in an appropriate, individual way--and sometimes in front of the whole class, if necessary. I'm not afraid to look "weak" or "be wrong" in front of students.
This is yet another way I lead students--by being human. I make mistakes, I apologize, and we keep learning. This is both me modeling how to be a leader for my students and a way of building positive classroom culture.
In a lot of ways, this takes away the extreme pressure of the "Who's gonna win? Students or teacher?" culture that can overtake classes. I work to move my classes toward an atmosphere and culture of mutual respect, and that has turned most of my classes into something magical.
Is it always perfect? No. But would I have it any other way? Nope.