What Matters in Schools - Today and Every Day?

I started my weekend with a text message from Dave Lehman, the Superintendent at Conemaugh Valley School District about his testimony in the State Senate this week. I like working with Dave. We have become sounding boards for each other as we have worked collaboratively through Appalachia IU8. The job of a Superintendent goes well beyond the scope heading up schools. Most people don’t know how many hats a Superintendent wears on any given day. Some days we talk about alternative programs and expanding learner options - other days we just commiserate about how little we get to talk about education.

James Hollis in his book Swamplands of the Soul stated, ‘Doubt is a radical form of faith’, something that I think is needed when working as a Superintendent. I have learned so much from working with Dave these past few years, he digs in when doubt is present. He often has simple, yet profound advice as he muddles through one of the many difficult issues faced by Superintendents most days. And, he has faith in his community to see his vision through.

My great respect for what Dave does on a daily basis, made it easy for me to watch his testimony on Mental Health to the State Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services - listening to Dave and his colleagues inspired me! You can watch Edwin Bowser, Superintendent, Forest Hills School District, Dr. Mark Kudlawiec, Superintendent, Chestnut Ridge School District, Dr. David Lehman, Superintendent, Conemaugh Valley School District, Dr. John W. Zesiger, Superintendent, Moshannon Valley School District, HERE.

The testimony was impassioned, as these Superintendents talked about some of the mental health issues they face in their small rural schools’ districts. I was captured by the passion they displayed as they each talked about helping children and families. In times of doubt they are able to find promising practices, when there are shortages of both people and money. The Senators were attentive and asked interesting questions. Mental Health and School Safety issues do not discriminate across political lines. It makes me wonder what would schools look like if we put just one or two of these takeaways that were suggested during the testimony into action? Not just across PA, but across our country?

Here are some of the key takeaways I heard from Dave and the others:

• Pay attention to what matters!
  • Teachers Matter, All kids are smart, Effort Leads to Achievement, Motivation Matters, Caring for our Kids - Relationships Matter.
• It takes a community to support healthy and safe schools.
  • Dave talked about a ‘three leg stool’ that was the cornerstone of support in days gone by-  a partnership which doesn’t seem to exist the way it used to: Church, Family and School.
• We don’t want schools to be hard targets.
  •  We want to wrap our arms around kids! Each person spoke with emotion and eloquence - it is clear these Superintendents value their communities and want to provide safe and welcoming schools. It is also clear that they need help!
• People not Programs. We want books not guns. 
• They told the group that while having good infrastructure is key - districts need to be able to have options - to choose what their communities need. 
• People are proactive.
  • Being able to find teachers, counselors and social workers sometimes is not possible in our rural schools. We need to find ways to draw good people to these professions so that we can support our communities and head off tragedy. Relationships matter.

In times of uncertainty and doubt I am grateful for the people who sit as Superintendents - on the frontlines of our communities. I am sure as they make decisions they are filled with doubt and sometimes despair. There are so many issues to wade through for leaders. These men made it clear; unless our children can have services that support some of the difficulties in their communities, they will not learn. I applaud the Superintendents efforts to work with the State Senate, to help them see that our communities matter and to raise up the truth that rural children and families, deserve the services and support to find their place in the world.

Last, and probably most importantly, I think these Superintendents made it quite clear that they cannot go this road alone. I work with Dave to provide World Language services and Open Campus at IU8 - which expands opportunities for learners. I wonder if the collaboration and support of organizations like 100 Million Healthier Lives might be another a way to broaden the conversations in our communities - so we can truly support young people, our most precious resource.

I am thankful for the work of these Superintendents and all the Superintendents for the work they do in support of learners and learning!

You can find more information here about “100 Million Healthier Lives – From Vision to Reality.”
For nearly two years, the “unprecedented collaboration of change agents across sectors” has been changing the world in meaningful ways. Hundreds of communities around the world are working with kids, veterans, and elders on move-the-needle priorities like nutrition, mental health, and equity.