What You Focus On Will Grow

Have you ever noticed that when you see something that you like you begin to see that exact item in several different places? If you were looking at a pair of shoes, suddenly you begin to see several people wearing the pair of shoes that you like? Or it could be that new car that caught your eye. Now you see that particular car everywhere.

The same principle is true in our daily lives. If you have an issue in your life, whatever it is tends to be at the forefront of your mind. Yes, it probably is a big issue, but our continuous thoughts about the issue make it bigger than it needs to be. In the same token, when something good happens, your mind will focus on more good things occurring in your life.

What we focus on grows. This concept is especially true in our schools. How do we determine what to focus on and how can we measure the impact of our efforts?

Every school year, principals have to decide what areas of focus will be important for their campus. This is determined by several different factors. The biggest factor is usually student achievement.

Student achievement should be at the core of our work everyday. How are we helping students? What strategies are teachers using to support learning? Do students know what’s expected of them?

School administrators are also part of the student achievement aspect. How are administrators supporting student learning? Is class time protected? Do teachers have the resources they need? Are teachers provided professional learning opportunities to improve their craft?

Your school culture tells everyone what is important. Do your teachers feel valued on your campus? Do students feel that they have a voice? What is the general feel when you are walking the hallways of your campus? What are the interactions like between staff and students?

Every campus is different and has its own culture. We often tend to focus on the things that are not going well instead of celebrating what is going well. I am by no means saying that we have to be toxically positive. I guarantee that if we look at things through a different lens we could create a better educational experience for students and as a byproduct teachers would have a better outlook on their work.