“The journey to shatter the ceiling is truly admirable. However, there’s another perspective or formula that we should consider– raising the floor. It’s not always about reaching higher. Sometimes it’s about adding your best to what you have.” This beautiful sentiment was shared in Laura McDonnell’s latest blog post, Raise Your Floor where she delves into the power of fortifying our foundations.

This week I had more opportunities to step onto the floors of classrooms. With every classroom visit, I get the privilege to observe the true beauty that exists inside our schools. The most important metric living inside classrooms cannot be measured. It is the joy, connection, and a sense of belonging I see teachers creating with kids that resonates most deeply.

One of the most crucial aspects of my role as district leader K-12, is to illuminate the strengths of our educators and show them what they are doing right. Lessons may come and go, yet enhancing our practices through a series of small collective moves can yield a big return on investment. 

When I’m in rooms observing lessons, you’ll often find me moving away from my device and standing side by side with the teachers. I’m with them, with my feet firmly planted on the floor, often asking, “What are you thinking right now?”

One teacher said, “Lauren, sometimes I don’t know if I am doing enough or doing too much.” I looked the teacher in the eye and responded, “I know the feeling. This work is important, that’s why you are thinking this way. But let me tell you what I see. I see a teacher who knows their students, capitalizing on their curiosity, validating their emotions, redirecting the lesson gently. You’re responding to students in real-time and giving them what they need to move forward in their work. I see a teacher their students will never forget. They will not remember this lesson, but they will remember you. That’s the legacy you are leaving behind.”

In the book Hidden Potential, Adam Grant shares, “It’s easy for people to be critics or cheerleaders. It’s harder to get them to be coaches. A critic sees your weaknesses and attacks your worst self. A cheerleader sees your strengths and celebrates your best self. A coach sees your potential and helps you become a better version of yourself.” Much like raising the floor – nurturing the goodness that already exists can bring out the best in those you serve.

The work we do as educators is incredibly important. I know what you might be thinking.

There are times when the work gets hard.

There are times when the work gets stressful.

There are times when you question whether or not you feel your work is adequate enough to meet all of your learners’ and colleagues’ needs.

I know… I think the same way about myself all the time and need my own reminders. I am writing this right now because I often write the things I need myself.

But just know this…you are HERE raising the floor. You are showing up, rolling up your sleeves, and stepping into the work to shape the future of kids who are counting on you to unleash the leader living inside them. You are cultivating the next generation of people who are going to make a difference in this world. You are harnessing and discovering your students and colleagues’ gifts, nurturing their passions and interests, and helping them discover their purpose. You are even inspiring the people who you think don’t hear or see you. You are.

Your most beautiful work lives inside the gifts you already have and the courage it takes to step into vulnerability.  You have the floor…stand on it firmly. You have what it takes to make this world a better place.

Actionable Items to Implement Tomorrow Real-Time Feedback Culture: Encourage a shift towards real-time feedback during classroom observations. Instead of solely evaluating lessons, focus on acknowledging and highlighting moments where teachers demonstrate strengths. Use these instances as learning opportunities, showing educators specific examples of how they’re positively impacting students. This fosters confidence and provides actionable insights for improvement. Embrace a Coaching Mindset: Encourage a coaching approach in interactions. Emphasize supporting colleagues in recognizing their potential and fostering growth. Encourage discussions centered on how to amplify strengths and build upon them. Encourage teachers to adopt this coaching mindset with their students, fostering a supportive, growth-oriented learning environment.