Leading & Teaching With Heart

I had a chance to visit a school with one of my former colleagues, and I just had to share this picture.

On a cement bench in front of the school, there was this little pile of pebbles lovingly shaped into a heart. It was a little broken by the time I got there, but the gist is still visible.

It just made me stop and appreciate the elementary school child who made it. He or she had something in their mind about wanting to communicate love through rock art. How cool is that?!

When kids go to school each day, we think about curriculum. We assess their progress. We try to manage classroom behaviors. Those are all important. It's what school is all about.

However, how often do we remember to think about their hearts? Each child that passes in front of us has a heart of emotions that they experience every day. Sometimes good emotions. Sometimes bad, sad, and more. It's so important to connect with the kids that come through our school doors on a personal level to know them and let them know we care about them. 

In fact, when students know we care deeply about them, it can actually improve their academic success because they feel like they belong and are connected at school.

So, the next time you see a student pass by you, I encourage you to think about what's in their heart and try and connect with them.