PMP219: Pause. Breathe. Flourish. Part 2 with Jen Schwanke




Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker show

Summary: <br> This week Jen Schwanke continues asking me questions about my new book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pause-Breathe-Flourish-Living-Educator/dp/1734890843">Pause. Breathe. Flourish. Living Your Best Life as an Educator.</a> Jen Schwanke is the principal of Indian Run Elementary and author of two books, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Principal-Strategies-Solutions-School-Leaders/dp/1416622217">You’re The Principal, Now What?</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Principal-Reboot-Revitalize-School-Leadership/dp/1416628819/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_1/139-9807996-2597638?_encoding=UTF8&amp;pd_rd_i=1416628819&amp;pd_rd_r=146b4652-870f-4904-b7a5-4efda5f34924&amp;pd_rd_w=AMSWo&amp;pd_rd_wg=FblzI&amp;pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&amp;pf_rd_r=TVBS5AJ3P4YR33T87HF7&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=TVBS5AJ3P4YR33T87HF7">The Principal Re-Boot: 8 Ways to Revitalize Your School Leadership</a>.<br> <br> <br> <br> Photo by Andrew Neel – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@andrewtneel?utm_source=haikudeck&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=api-credit<br> <br> <br> <br> In Part 2 of our conversation, Jen asks me to explain my writing process and asks me questions about remaining positive during challenging times. Here are some takeaways:<br> <br> <br> <br> Jen: You’ve written three books now and two of them while still a principal. I’m curious what is your writing process?<br> <br> <br> <br> WDP: Every week for almost seven years, I have been sharing content on lessons learned in my education journey through my blog. I try to write 500 to 1,000 words each week as a way to journal my experiences. Over the years, I have taken that content and shaped into the books I’ve written. I look for concepts, themes or lessons that might help others. I encourage school leaders to have a way to log the lessons you’re learning. When you look back at previous challenges, you can apply them to ones you’re currently facing.<br> <br> <br> <br> Jen: Recently, I shared a post about a teacher at my school who was working on the weekend. Then I was criticized for promoting ‘toxic’ positivity. You are such a positive and empowering leader. You always root for others. You seem genuinely happy when good things happen to other people. Is this something you need to work toward, or does it come naturally?  How do you remain positive while also being authentic and not be accused of ‘toxic’ positivity?<br> <br> <br> <br> WDP: That’s a great question, but first of all, let me say how sad it makes me that people have started weaponzing social media instead of using it to encourage others. If you haven’t seen the documentary <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224">Social Dilemma</a> on Netflix, I highly recommend it for understanding how this is happening on a global scale.  <br> <br> <br> <br> To answer your question, though, I’m not sure if my positivity is natural. Let’s face it. In school leadership, we manage negative situations all the time. But if we only amplify the negative, how do we ever amplify the overwhelming positives that are also happening? I don’t want leaders to be fake or inauthentic. It’s important to be honest about our struggles, but what you publish in newsletters or social media should highlight the reasons people want their children attending your schools. <br> <br> <br> <br> Also, one of the reasons I choose to celebrate the work of others is that I believe all boats rise with tide. In other words, when I take time to share out the success or achievement of someone else, everyone benefits, including me. That may seem selfish, but I believe in the principle that you reap what you sow. When we are willing to encourage the work and success of others, we will inevitably see our own work improving as a result.<br> <br> <br> <br> Jen: You have built an impressive professional career outside ...