It’s Not Right, But It’s (Definitely) OK: Leading Through the Overwhelm

It’s Not Right, But It’s (Definitely) OK: Leading Through the Overwhelm
Let’s be honest—everything feels like a lot right now.

The pressure on teachers.
 The expectations on leaders.
 The coordination needed from parents.
 Even the lunchroom managers making sure kids make their meal choices on time.

It’s overwhelming. And no, it didn’t used to be this way—but this is where we are. We can’t go back, but we can move forward.

So, What Now?
You might be tempted to ask: What’s actually important right now?
 But let’s be real—all of it is important.

As a leader, it can feel like every question needs your answer, every problem needs your solution, and every email needs your eyes. When that doesn’t happen? Things circle back—and not in a cute way. It haunts your leadership.

The Key: Don’t Overwork—Outstrategize
Before you exhaust yourself or stretch non-existent resources, here’s a better move:
 Write down your plan.
 Make it visible.
 Make it the focus of your leadership meetings.

Start by asking:
 What’s the one thing that needs action right now?
 Don’t try to solve everything. Pick one issue. Break it down. Start small and build from there.

 
Example: Tackling Tardiness
Let’s say you want to reduce student tardiness. Ask:

How many students need to be on time in September and October to see a measurable improvement?

What did last year’s tardy data show during those months?

Are the same students late repeatedly?

Is there a common cause (e.g., bus routes)? If yes, call transportation—now.

Suppose last year, 47 students were consistently late. What if just 25 of them arrived on time this year? That’s progress.

Now plan for that. And chunk it. (Reading teachers, you know what I mean! 😂)

 
Low-Cost, High-Impact Strategies:
Leverage your Parent Liaison: Have them build relationships and share messaging directly with families.

Create student leadership roles: Give these students morning responsibilities (e.g., lead the pledge, make announcements) that give them purpose.

Daily “Did You Know?” segment: Encourage students to share fun facts during announcements—engaging, builds confidence, and hits speaking/listening standards!

Newsletter reinforcement: Ask teachers to include messages about punctuality each week. Parents need repetition (we all do).

Use robo-calls wisely: Send brief reminders about the importance of arriving on time.

Direct leadership outreach: Yes, you can talk to parents about lateness without getting pushback. It’s all in the tone and approach.

 
Final Thought
In education today, it often feels like too much—and sometimes, it is.
 No, it’s not right that so much falls on your shoulders.

But the truth is: it’s definitely OK—because great leaders find a way forward.