As we started this school year, the administrators of Jefferson City High School, Nichols Career Center, and the Simonsen Ninth Grade Center communicated important priorities to the faculty and staff.
We wanted to give them a good focus and to provide clarity to all of the work we do for students.
The administrative team includes new JCHS principal Bob James, NCC principal Sharon Longan, and assistant principals Jacob Adams, Julie Bryan, Shanna Schwarzer and Jeff West. The team also includes Simonsen principal Ben Meldrum and Simonsen assistant principals Jeff Jennewein and Mike Shipp. Mark Caballero is the school district's activities and athletics director.
I get to work as a part of the team as well, as associate principal in the main JCHS building. I tremendously appreciate being with such a dedicated group.
Mr. James has said we want to be the voice of calm and reason as we work with parents, teachers and students. When I spoke with teachers on Aug. 18 I wanted to emphasize the idea of relying on a calm demeanor and a peace of mind in all of our efforts.
As human beings, sometimes when circumstances don't go just right, we are quick to worry, panic or entertain fears. No one in any profession or in any set of personal circumstances should do that; it simply makes a one far less productive and far less able to go navigate through each day.
It also produces great stress and frustration.
So rather than put that extra pressure on ourselves, we should slow down and not let the stress of work or life take away our peace of mind.
Many of us have heard of the Hebrew word for peace - shalom - which Jewish people use as a warm greeting to this very day.
I'm not Jewish and I'm not saying you should convert to Judaism, but I do think we could all do better at work and in our own lives if we had the solid serenity conveyed by shalom.
The word means, "I hope you have all the highest good coming your way."
It includes the idea of peace, goodness and remaining calm, even when circumstances get difficult.
When we look at it that way, the idea of peace, or shalom, is good for teachers as they work with students.
And it's good for all of us as we work through a life that is sometimes perplexing, sometimes difficult, sometimes tumultuous and sometimes unfair.
The school year is up and running. And we hope it is one in which all of the highest good comes to our faculty, staff and students.
And to you.
David Wilson, EdD, is the associate principal at Jefferson City High School. You may email him at david.wilson@jcschools.