Take Time To Listen

It's nearly that time when our kiddos will return to us.  Buses will start rolling soon, week long professional development will happen, etc.  It's usually a bittersweet start, wishing we had more summer time, but happy to be back to our routines or maybe a new challenge, as in my case.

This week, I wouldn't say I've learned to listen, but others have been teaching me, stressing the importance of it.  I can usually tell when I've been on the computer or my phone too long, because my husband will lean over and say, "Did you hear them?" Or my youngest daughter will come and put her forehead on mine and repeat herself for probably the 5th time, although it's my first time to hear her.  That's how I know it's time to unplug and listen.  And then today at summer school, one of my students was telling me about what she does after school while we were cutting out pictures to sort.  She said that her Dad works at Wal-Mart and she goes there after school to be with him.  That stopped me in my tracks, so of course I had to find out more.  She said it just in the regular discourse of our talking, like it was no big deal.  Another student chimed in and said that his Mom works at a restaurant and he goes there with her after school.

I believe that in our busyness of life or work, in an effort to be more efficient or more productive, we miss opportunities to really listen to people.  We miss opportunities to hear what they say, and try to understand the place they are coming from, what makes them tick, why they feel that way.  We don't take time to just stop, look them in the eyes as they speak, with no agenda or need, and not just listening as we pass to somewhere else.  Simply that.  Just listen.

You ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that I'm a "doer",  I have a really hard time just being still, not being wrapped up in new learning or a project of some kind.  So, for me, as I head into a new position this year, a new challenge, I task myself with taking time to listen.  Listen to our students, first and foremost.  They're the reason we have are there with them day in and day out.  (If you're not there for students, it might be time to find a different career path.)  Secondly, take time to listen to staff.  Part of my role this year involves technology, so if I don't take time to hear staff, how will I ever know what they need, what's important to them.

Since my campus is a Leader in Me school, I would be remiss to leave out how this task I've put out there for myself relates.  Habit 5-Seek First to Understand, Then be Understood

And a great article I read today about starting the year caught my eye today.  3 Organizing Tips for a Great School Year