Fingers on the Pulse

Full disclosure...while this is for all of us, it is about the work I do, the emotional and intellectual check-in that is part of my daily leader work.

Plugging into the pulse of your schools, your workplaces, your communities means recognizing what privilege exists within you, around you and your life; acknowledging who you are, what you are about, and taking the time to create practices and actions centered on a life that is culturally responsive, and is supported by core values founded in anti-racist behavior. In short, both an ally and an accomplice to making sure you, and those you support, are embedded in the type of love that is for everyone, felt by everyone, and makes a very public statement that "You matter, everyday, and I will make sure you have everything you need to succeed in your time and work with me. I will not allow anything or anyone to marginalize you or make you feel anything that defeats your person, your race, your language, or your culture."

This is the love leading that is most nuanced, and most critical, to the survival of our schools and communities. This is what it means for leaders to have their fingers on the pulse--always checking in, always listening, always responding, knowing life is on the line.