Sanée Bell

A few weeks before spring break I was approached by a 2nd grader in the hallway. He asked me the following question, “How is the principal job going?” After I chuckled, I replied, “It is fantastic! There is no other job that I would rather have more than being a principal!” He went on to tell me that he planned to work at my school when he turned 27 and asked me not to quit until he got a job. I don’t know if I can make a 20-year commitment, but I can definitely commit to bringing my best each day I walk into my school.

How could a seven-year-old possibly know where he wants to work twenty years from now?  After thinking about it I realized that there is something that this student sees in me, his teachers, and our school that makes him want to work here 20 years from now.

As a principal, I know that what I do each day matters to lives of students, teachers, parents and our community. Sometimes I may doubt myself as a leader. I am sure we all do from time to time, but what keeps me encouraged and motivated is knowing that I matter and that my purpose in life is bigger than what can be defined and observed in 179 school days.

Our actions matter to our students. How we interact with each other matters to the culture of our school. And most importantly, what we believe about ourselves as educators matters to the success of our students. We must never forget that we are an essential piece to the success of our schools; but more importantly, we must understand and own the fact that we are an essential contributor to the lives of the children that we touch each day. One interaction, either positive or negative, can change a child’s whole world. We must know and never forget our impact!

I challenge you to bring your best every day. Our students, your colleagues, and our profession deserve it!