Week 1: Getting Back in Bearcat Shape

Happy Friday!

The first Friday of the school year is here, and I feel like I just wrote about the last Friday of last year. Time does fly. I want to take a moment to sincerely thank all of our teachers, bus drivers, custodians, food service workers, office staff, paraprofessionals, maintenance staff, administrators, techs, volunteers, and all other school employees for the incredible work you have done throughout the summer leading up to our first day. Your dedication and preparation ensured that everything went smoothly, allowing us to start this year on the right foot. Good job!

In this Wrap-up, I want to extend some of the thoughts I left you with last week as we prepared for this new school year. We will soon be developing our goals for the year, which will be constantly updated in the Wrap-up, but today, I want to be mission/vision-focused. That is where the energy to get back in “Bearcat shape” comes from. I am excited to see what we will achieve together this year.

Going From ‘I can’t’ to ‘We can!’

Besides ourselves getting into Bearcat shape, so are our football and band members. After last night’s intrasquad scrimmage, I have been reflecting on the concept of “collective efficacy” that I spoke about during our day one convocation, and it struck me that our band and football teams that play on Friday nights are a better example of it than we often see within our own internal teams. By the way, I am starting to feel that the term "collective efficacy" is a bit too stuffy and scientific. It does not quite capture the spirit and energy of what it really means in practice. We should consider calling it something more relatable and dynamic, perhaps something like “shared confidence” or “team synergy.” I would like to know your ideas. Based on what you know about it right now, what is the right term to make the concept more accessible and impactful? Leave your ideas here at this link. Now, back to my points.

The way those students work together, each person contributing to a greater goal, perfectly embodies what it means to have collective efficacy. It is not just about individual talents, but how those talents are leveraged and harmonized towards a common purpose. This synergy is something we need to mirror in our own efforts.

Another key aspect of collective efficacy is trust. Each player and band member trusts that all the others are doing the job that was rehearsed in practice. This trust allows the team to perform cohesively, without hesitation, because everyone is confident in each other's commitment and preparation. With strong collective efficacy, each individual thinks to themselves, "I know each of my teammates is doing their job, and I am going to do mine." This unwavering belief in one another’s dedication and effort creates a powerful dynamic that ensures success on the field and in the band, and it is a mindset that could greatly benefit our own work.

Moreover, when there is group failure, collective efficacy instills within us the belief that we should look at our own actions as the reason rather than blaming others. This is because we trust that everyone else did their job. The thought of strong collective efficacy makes failure less impactful on the group because of our confidence in each other, allowing us to view setbacks not as insurmountable obstacles, but as opportunities for growth. This level of accountability and mutual trust strengthens the group as a whole and turns setbacks into opportunities for individual and collective growth.

This reminds me of the 2007 New York Giants football team. They had a rough start to the season, facing several defeats that left many questioning their potential. However, what set this team apart was their unwavering trust in one another. Each player believed in their teammates' ability to do their jobs, just as they had rehearsed in practice. Despite the setbacks, they never lost faith in the collective power of their teamwork and the process they had learned and were committed to. This trust became their greatest strength, culminating in a stunning victory over the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Their journey is a testament to the power of collective efficacy—or “team synergy,” as we might start calling it—to overcome even the toughest challenges.

It is also important to consider how rookies or novices fit into this picture. Often, these individuals might doubt their own abilities, especially when they are just starting out. However, their confidence in their mentors plays a crucial role in their development. Even though they might not fully believe in themselves at first, they trust that their mentors will guide them and help them reach a level of self-efficacy. This trust motivates them to put in the work necessary to grow, learn, and eventually contribute meaningfully to the team. It is a cycle of mentorship and trust that reinforces collective success.

On the other hand, the antithesis of collective efficacy emerges from individuals who think too much of themselves. Those who lack humility, who refuse to take correction, and who are unwilling to learn from others can bring the entire group down to their level. Their arrogance and unwillingness to collaborate effectively can undermine the trust and cohesion that are essential to true team success. It is a stark reminder of how important humility and a willingness to learn are in any group dynamic.

Another challenge to collective efficacy is the tendency to get hung up on individual personalities. Too often, we focus on the eccentricities or quirks of others—disliking them for minor annoyances or personality differences—and choose not to work with them because of it. However, a true professional understands that the real question is whether or not that person is helping us accomplish our mission. Some individuals who may grate on our nerves are still highly valuable to our overall purpose, and we need to recognize that. Instead of allowing personal dislikes to influence our professional decisions, we should conduct ourselves with the greater mission in mind, valuing contributions that drive us toward our collective goals, even if we do not always mesh perfectly on a personal level.

The physiological impact of these dynamics is also significant. When trust and cohesion are present within a group, individuals experience lower levels of stress and a greater sense of well-being. This is because positive social interactions and a supportive environment stimulate the release of oxytocin, sometimes called the "love hormone," which promotes feelings of happiness and reduces stress. In contrast, when trust is lacking and group cohesion breaks down, the body responds by releasing cortisol and other stress hormones. Chronic exposure to these hormones can lead to negative health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, and physical ailments such as high blood pressure and weakened immune function. In 2022-2023 our leadership team read Simon Sinek’s, Leaders Eat Last, which explains how environments that foster trust and cooperation cause our bodies to release chemicals like oxytocin and serotonin, which not only make us feel good but also reinforce positive social behaviors and strengthen relationships. On the other hand, environments that lack trust lead to an increase in cortisol, causing stress and damaging our health over time.

One of the key missions of district leadership is to increase collective efficacy across our teams. This requires both assertive efforts to build trust, collaboration, and shared goals, as well as the removal of individuals who ultimately do not believe in or participate in our mission and vision. Just as it is important to build up a team, it is equally important to recognize and address those who actively work against the unity and trust we are striving to create. When individuals consistently sow discord or undermine collective efforts, they not only harm the team but also threaten the overall mission. As leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that such behaviors are identified and addressed, protecting the integrity and efficacy of the group. By fostering an environment where everyone is committed to the collective success of our district, we not only improve our outcomes for our students but also create a healthier, more supportive community for everyone involved.

As we move forward, let us embrace the spirit of "team synergy”, “collective efficacy”… whatever we end up calling it, and strive to cultivate an environment where trust, humility, and collaboration are at the forefront of everything we do. By recognizing the strengths of our collective efforts and addressing challenges with a mindset of growth, we can ensure that our teams are not only successful but also resilient and united in our mission. Together, we can turn "I can’t" into "We can!" and achieve great things for our students and our community.

Bus Drivers

If we are going to accomplish our mission, our students must get to school safely and on time. Unfortunately, we are facing an extreme shortage of bus drivers, which directly impacts our ability to meet this critical need. I encourage each of you to consider earning your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and earn an additional $850 per month or more. Here is an example earnings scenario I sent out earlier.

For all of you who already have a CDL but no permanent routes, consider becoming an on-call substitute bus driver. The district offers a contract of $1,800 per year just for signing up. There is more to earn from route pay when you drive. We have four positions available and the job is posted internally on Talent Ed.

If neither of these opportunities interest you, the least you can do for this district is to help us recruit new drivers and communicate to our patrons about the strain this shortage is putting on the district.

Closing

As we wrap up this first week of the school year, I want to commend everyone for making it a successful start. Your preparation, dedication, and readiness have set a positive tone for the year ahead, and I am excited to see what we will accomplish together.

I also want to remind you that there are always grant opportunities available for teachers, and I am proud to share that several of our staff members have successfully applied for and earned grants in the past. If you are considering applying for a grant, please be sure to inform Mrs. Buckley beforehand so that we can track any new funds coming into the central office. Let us continue this momentum and make this school year one of growth and achievement for all.

It was a good first three days for us at Mena Public Schools!

At Mena Public Schools our students are prepared, our staff is supported, and our community is confident.

Have a nice weekend!