One of the things I often comment about is that school librarians have that unique role where they have the global perspective.  They see everything that happens in the school and the way those dynamics all work — much like a principal does.  We really have more in common with a principal than a classroom teacher — maybe even a bit more than we’d like to admit.  I think when you find a librarian and a principal who both understand that, it can form a connection that leads to great things for the library program and for the entire school.

Over the last seven years, our library program has grown and flourished.  Our principal very quickly “got it”, and from that day forward has been our biggest fan.  He has made sure to help us work towards creating an amazing library program.  He might tell you he hasn’t done a thing, but in reality what I think he did which was so great for our library program (and our school) was he created a culture where we always wanted to improve.  We always were moving that bar and jumping just a little bit higher.  The status quo was never a word or phrase we used.  We would celebrate our success, evaluate our failures, and always be thinking about how to make them both better the next time around.

The Vision of our school is 100%!  We want 100% of our kids doing the right thing and treating people right.  We want 100% of our kids doing and turning in their homework.  We want 100% of our kids to be reading on grade level.  We want 100% of our kids to pass the state standardized test.  Back to that first staff meeting, as we were thinking about our vision we were trying to think of what percentage our goals might be.  We tossed our numbers of 85% / 95% percentages.  I mean 100% is going to really be tough.  So as we’re brainstorming out loud, he says ok let’s say we’re going to get 90% of our kids to pass.  He had us turn our paper over and said, “Now write down the 10% of the kids we’re not going to worry about!”  It quickly became clear that wasn’t going to work.  We have to worry about 100% of them and we want 100% of them to be successful.  We’re still working reaching that vision each and every day, but I think there is no doubt that he gave us all 100% of himself.

Today was pretty difficult last day of school as we had to say goodbye.  Our principal is headed to new adventures with a new school outside our district.  I wish him well and am excited for him as I know this change is a great opportunity for him and his family.   At our last staff meeting today he went around and personally told each one of us something about us that brought him joy.  I’ll be honest, I was like everyone else with my sunglasses on to try and kind of disguise the tears.  Next year will be different without him there.  But, I know the lessons he taught us as he guided our building will be there for many, many years to come!  I think that’s the joy he brought to us!