School Principal Shares The Biggest Thing He’s Learned On The Job & It’s Powerful

We usually get the most profound lessons from some unexpected sources. For Michael Glynn, a school principal, the unexpected source is usually the students. Most teachers and school administrators will agree that students often teach the teachers.

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In his Instagram post, Principal Glynn discusses these chance interactions. School staff may get numerous opportunities to interact with some students while barely seeing others. Although you want every interaction to be meaningful and memorable, adults can never be sure which interaction will be remembered.

Principal Glynn has a straightforward suggestion: Make every interaction meaningful. Some students will reach out, and others will not. In his post, he encourages teachers and adults to “be intentional and interact with all students.” Dozens of posts on Principal Glynn’s Instagram page reinforce this mindset.

The principal speaks of school assignments, bells, and coming and going. He emphasizes that the interactions that will stick with students are essential, and how students feel is an integral part of those memories. Students will remember the feelings of safety, belonging, and joy. Connecting with students on an emotional level will last longer than the math or history lesson.

Whether you see a student once a week or daily, make the connections that show them they are important. For Principal Glynn, that may be a high five as a student passes or skipping happily down the hallway. The lesson the students taught the school principal is that smiles, laughter, and small interactions are worth more than an A in science or geometry.

When children enter a school, they don’t just see the whiteboards and books. They see love and acceptance. The students feel safe and protected. They understand that the school principal and teachers are there for them every day.

You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.