Collecting Experiences 

As passionate educators, you live in a treasure trove of memories, collecting experiences, and interactions that have been accumulated over the course of time. Every role you undertake presents opportunities that invite you to think about the educator you once were and the educator you aspire to be. If you have been entrusted with the opportunity to impact and influence the lives of kids, you are a leader. Yes, you are. Throughout your journey, you have established and developed relationships, garnered a multitude of teaching and learning practices, and taken part in numerous conversations that have left an indelible mark on the lives of families, colleagues, and students fortunate enough to cross paths with you. You are a leader. 

My Last Year in the Classroom

As I reflect on the last year when I had a classroom to call my own, little did I imagine that the subsequent year would lead me to embrace a formal leadership role amidst a pandemic – one of the most challenging periods in educational history. For five years prior, I cherished my role as an instructional coach, and I never anticipated that it would be dissolved due to various reasons. Faced with this change and drawing from my extensive experience in elementary education spanning over a decade, I made the decision to transition to the middle school as a literacy specialist for students in grades 6-8. Embracing new challenges has always been integral to my growth as a human being, educator, learner, leader, and practitioner. It is through these endeavors that I strive to remain at the cutting edge of best practices, enhance my skill set, and uplift others.

The excitement of sharing the wealth of knowledge I had accumulated in diverse settings filled my thoughts. Yet, little did I know that this endeavor would require me to navigate both physical and virtual spaces simultaneously, forever altering my perception of impact and the role of a teacher. As I embarked on this journey, I harnessed every opportunity to impart my learning and contribute to the growth of young minds. I hold dear the memories of my own classroom, knowing that this chapter marks the end of a remarkable era in my educational journey. However, it also signified the beginning of new opportunities to empower and inspire as I continue to evolve as an educator and leader.

Cultures of Learning Are Built on Connection

Recently, I took a trip to Los Angeles, California. I go there every summer to reconnect with friends and spend time in a place I spent a lot of time in my early 20s. Since I had a very early flight, I made a last minute decision to take an Uber to the airport. My pickup time was 4:45 a.m. (sigh)- I can still remember my eyes feeling heavy when I received a message from my driver. I looked at my IPhone and it was 4:30 a.m. It read, “Hi Lauren, I’m here and ready when you are.” Wow, I thought to myself. All of the anxiety I felt about making that early flight completely vanished. When I opened the car door and greeted my driver Sierra, the first thing I saw was her sincere and warm smile. “Good morning, Lauren. I wanted to get here nice and early so you didn’t have to worry.” I smiled through my relieved response and addressed the Uber driver I had now known for thirty seconds by name, “How thoughtful of you, Sierra. Thank you so much. May I have this cup of coffee in your car?” Sierra, laughed, “Well, I wouldn’t have been here this early if I wasn’t on my second cup. Of course Lauren, if you didn’t have a cup with you, I would have asked if you’d like me to stop for one.” I had only known Sierra for a few minutes, but I knew her caring gesture and her curiosity in getting to know who I am as a human being, made me feel safe and reassured that I would make it to my flight without a hitch, creating an instant connection between us.

Lessons Learned From Small Encounters

Although I will most likely never see Sierra again, this encounter reminded me of a profound lesson about education. I realized that my vast knowledge as a literacy educator would hold little significance to my students unless I could foster genuine connections with them. They weren’t solely interested in my expertise; they were curious about who I was, who I am, and who I aspired to be. Similarly, I discovered that to cultivate a culture of learning, communication, collaboration, and empowerment in the classroom, I needed to invest in my students’ hearts and find the leaders that are living inside of them. It wasn’t just about delivering content; it was about getting to know my students, understanding their aspirations, and supporting them on their unique journeys of growth and development. By showcasing my authentic self and investing in meaningful connections with my students, I found the key to building a truly impactful educational experience.

Small Moves Can Make Big Impact

I always revisit this sentiment my friend Meghan Lawson says, “Small moves can make a big impact.” Have you ever thought about how your personal evolution and the path to the educator you are becoming exists in the small things? Where are you now and where do you want to be? Happiness doesn’t just exist in where we are, it lives in what we do to get there. Just three years ago, you’d find me back in a classroom teaching reading to 6-8 grade students in the midst of a pandemic. And a few years later, I have been grateful to serve as assistant principal and director of literacy K-12 which led me to working with a new team, students, and community. Although the roles I have served in have changed, I am the same person at the core. I have the same heart and passion for what I do. I recognize that it’s the small things that have contributed to endless refinement and continuous improvement towards the educator I am becoming. It’s the small things that have illuminated my love for education and the constant pursuit to be better for the people I serve.

It’s the Small Things

Small moves breathe meaning into a new year. In the book Atomic Habits, James Clear says, “We often dismiss small changes because they don’t seem to matter much in the moment.” Looking back in time, there were a lot of small things I didn’t savor in the moment. It’s the small things that led me to the place I am in today; they are rooted in a collection of interactions I’ve had with people, family, friends, students, and colleagues. The gradual evolution of becoming yourself is wrapped up in small things that happen over time. My friend Sean Gaillard  shared a small thing, a simple sentiment in a tweet, “consider the possibilities”. Take a moment to look beyond your immediate surroundings… look for the small things in new people and possibilities on the horizon. Where are you now and where do you want to be in a year?

Last Days In the Classroom

On one of my last days in the classroom, I read my students Only One You by Linda Kranz. The book inspired me to use all I had learned about my students and write them a personal note of inspiration and gratitude. With that, I also left them a special rock with the one word I felt embodied who they are and who they will continue to be. I remember my student Steven picking up his rock “Happiness” and studying it carefully. “Mrs. Kaufman, do you really think I can bring happiness to people wherever I go?” I replied, “Steven, your happiness is contagious and will bring joy to whomever you meet. Your happiness will change the world. You are a leader.”

Moving Forward

Looking back, my interaction with Steven was just one small moment among a series of seemingly insignificant moves that have shaped the school leader I am evolving into. Contemplating the significance of these small actions, I now often find myself reflecting on the choices I make to connect with people.

One of the best parts of my new role is visiting classrooms to connect and spend time with students and teachers. On one of those days, a student named James delightfully approached me with a piece of writing he wanted to share. One sentiment he included was, “When you walk by, say hi to Mrs. Kaufman. Don’t you want to make her day? Mrs. Kaufman is wonderful because she makes sure everyone has a good day.” As I read James’ piece of writing, it brought me back to the exchange I had with Steven. It made me think about how Steven’s contagious happiness became a part of me. It seemed as though I was inadvertently bringing that same happiness to James. Perhaps I have been carrying many years of my students’ and colleagues’ positive attributes with me. 

This chain of reflections brought my thoughts back to Sierra, the Uber driver who had made an indelible impact on my day with her thoughtfulness and warm smile. She is a leader. It was evident that a collection of small actions, such as Sierra’s gesture, had the potential to brighten someone else’s day. This interaction has now become a memory, a story I will share with others who cross my path. As a leader, I challenge myself and those around me to be mindful of these small moves that can profoundly influence the lives of others. It’s in these seemingly insignificant moments that we have the power to spread kindness and joy, making the world a better place one interaction at a time. You are a leader.

Actionable Ideas for Leaders:

1. Cultivate Genuine Connections: Invest time and effort in getting to know your team members, students, and colleagues on a personal level. Foster genuine connections that go beyond professional roles to build trust and rapport.
2. Embrace New Challenges: Embrace opportunities for growth and development, even if they seem daunting. Be open to stepping out of your comfort zone to expand your skill set and become a more versatile leader.
3. Share Your Wealth of Knowledge: As a leader, share your expertise, experiences, and best practices with others. Be generous in imparting knowledge to empower and inspire those around you.
4. Acknowledge the Power of Small Moves: Understand that small actions and gestures can have a significant impact on individuals and the overall learning environment. Pay attention to the seemingly insignificant moments that can create positive change.
5. Spread Kindness and Joy: As a leader, aim to spread kindness and joy in every interaction. Your caring and considerate approach can leave a lasting impression on others and contribute to a positive and supportive atmosphere.