Teachers and administrators are first responders too.
23 years ago, the term first responders became an unfortunate part of the cultural vernacular.
As the pandemic played out, “first responders” entered the zeitgeist once again.
People venerate first responders – those who rush into action, into danger, into the fire. Society, rightly it seems to me, praises those who look after others first and consider themselves second. We elevate those who reflexively place the needs of others before their own needs and we are grateful for their work and sacrifice.
We typically think of law enforcement officials and health care workers as first responders. We often widen the definition to include mental health professionals. While those in these professions absolutely deserve much praise, we can look to education and see the same type of response in these professionals each-and-every-day.
Teachers and administrators are first responders too.
Good educators look to the needs of their students and staff first, they put themselves on the line for them, they protect them. Good educators pay attention to the tenor of their classrooms or or the temperature in meetings, they perceive who is in crisis and try to assist them as they can. They react with kindness and compassion and love.
So very much of the work we do calls us to recognize challenges before us. It calls us to analyze situations and to understand people. It calls us, sometimes in split seconds, to act for the good of the student, the teacher, the department, the class. Excellent educational professionals have the reflexes and insights to make spur-of-the-moment decisions that improve situations for individuals and for groups. They have the ability to diagnose and respond quickly for the good of others.
This is a critical part of our shared work.
Good educational professionals are absolutely first responders, making split-second decisions that affect, change, and, yes, save lives, every moment of every day.