School administrators must strive to be thermostats, not thermometers. While thermometers simply reflect the temperature of the environment, thermostats actively set the tone and influence the atmosphere around us. Here at AWSP, I have the privilege of supporting principals across the state in creating positive, inclusive, and empowering climates within their schools. As leaders, it’s imperative that we set the tone by leading with intention, modeling resilience, and fostering collaboration so that our students and staff can thrive, innovate, and grow.
Our responsibility goes beyond reacting to the challenges in front of us—it’s about creating an environment where every individual feels valued, supported, and motivated to reach their fullest potential. As principals and assistant principals, you have the power to shape the culture of your schools, setting a standard that uplifts everyone.
I hold a lofty goal of keeping my leadership thermostat set to calm and gratitude. In my reflections, I often think about my time as a military leader and how I wish I had led more with these qualities. Leadership can be overwhelming, but calm and gratitude serve as anchors, especially during difficult times, helping to guide us through the storms with clarity and strength.
These reflections have become even more meaningful to me recently, following the tragic loss of an assistant principal I knew very well and the devastating loss of my best friend's child. These experiences remind me that life offers plenty of opportunities to practice resilience through difficult "reps." Like physical training, growth doesn’t come from avoiding those reps but from enduring them and becoming stronger with each challenge we face.
To the school leaders I have the honor of supporting, I encourage you to reflect on how you're setting your thermostat. Is it aligned with the climate you want to cultivate in your school community? Are you creating an environment that can withstand adversity while helping those around you flourish?
Together, let’s lead in a way that not only strengthens our schools but also empowers every student and staff member to reach their highest potential. We owe it to them, to ourselves, and to the communities we serve.
Dameon's Book Recommendation:
Tools for the Trenches: Daily Practices for Resilience, Perspective, & Progress
By Elizabeth Benton Thompson