When I worked in school districts, the period between spring break and the end of the school year was my least favorite time. It always seemed as if people, from parents to our professional colleagues and staff, took on new attitudes. Unfortunately, they were not good attitudes!
I began to describe this behavior as a virulent version of a disease I called “schoolaria.” Like malaria, it could linger.
Schoolaria can be diagnosed by an onslaught of bad moods, absences, poor behaviors, complaints and general unhappiness. It seemed to me that people began to anger easily, jump to conclusions and become extremely sensitive – meaning miscommunication and misunderstandings abounded!
I came to this conclusion before the COVID-19 pandemic. I had no idea the pandemic would linger as long as it did, nor that it would create such a change in attitudes and behaviors. The symptoms of schoolaria are even broader today. Add to my initial diagnosis a lack of respect for professional services or schools, a disgust with authority and rage toward anything we disagree about! It appears many people are harboring a slow-simmering anger. I’m not sure they even know who or what they are angry about, but they are angry!
For those of us in public service, at times, we may feel that we have a target on us. At this time of the year, grace, courtesy and normal social behaviors seem to have been replaced with thinking that immediately believes the worst. Instead of feeling appreciated for what we accomplish and the amazing work our members provide to their school districts and educational organizations, we may be stressed and overwhelmed by the challenges we face.
School transportation leaders are the types of people you want to pick first for your team! They are smart, dedicated and the kind of people who take seriously the safety and well-being of our students and our employees. They are also the type of people who understand rules, regulations and the need to be on top of their responsibilities. They rarely have 40-hour work weeks – their work weeks extend to when they can get it all done. They are the first to pick up the route without a driver or take on the task that someone else has abandoned. They are on the front lines of our schools every day.
So, when “schoolaria” is raging in your organization, you need to do your very best to prepare yourself for it and avoid infection. Now is the time of year when we need to remember our “why’s.” Why we are in this industry, why we work where we do, why our work is important and why, without our leadership, kids would not have safe and efficient transportation. Our “why’s” are the motivational reminders that keep us centered and focused. They help us avoid succumbing to the negativity around us and allow us to keep our sense of humor. We continue to be professionals and people with dignity and integrity even in the most trying situations.
This is the time of year we need to be celebrating. It is time for student promotions and graduations, retirements and celebrations of work well done. It’s time to honor those who have delivered extraordinary service and amazing track records. It is about celebrating the end of a school year where our work enables children to arrive safely to and from school every day. Where thousands upon thousands of students were able to attend concerts, play sports, march in parades and participate in extracurricular activities. We need to acknowledge the special needs of children who carefully and lovingly were transported from home to school. What you and your colleagues do, it makes a difference. You make that difference every day.
So today, take a breath and a moment to remember, in a world that is struggling and difficult, you are a leader with purpose.