What we name and call things has meaning.
I am an English teacher and always will be. I know that words are powerful. What we name and call things has meaning.
I am currently serving in my fifth high school and each one has had a different name for its professional staff. I find that fascinating. Is an educational group a community, a family, a team, or even a business?
Calling ourselves a community emphasizes our interconnectedness and shared responsibility. In a community, each member plays a vital role, and there is a collective commitment to the well-being and success of every individual. This term resonates deeply with the Catholic school ethos, where we aim to create an inclusive, supportive, and nurturing environment. The word “community” emphasizes mutual support and aligns well with the Ignatian principle of cura personalis, caring for the whole person, but it might not fully capture the professional and organizational aspects of our work.
Referring to our group as a family highlights the deep bonds and care we have for one another. In a family, there is trust and a sense of belonging. This term can foster a warm and welcoming atmosphere. “Family” conveys warmth, trust, and deep personal connections but understanding ourselves as such can sometimes blur professional boundaries and may not adequately reflect the professional nature of our roles.
Describing ourselves as a team underscores our collaboration and shared goals. In a team, each member contributes their unique skills and strengths towards a common objective. This term can inspire a sense of unity, cooperation, and collective effort. The word “team” highlights collaboration but is it personal enough to encompass the spiritual dimensions of our relationships?
Utilizing the term “business” emphasizes the professional and operational aspects of our work. It highlights the importance of efficiency and can remind us of the need to be strategic and goal-oriented in our efforts. It evokes professionalism and accountability but may feel too impersonal and not adequately reflect the relational and spiritual dimensions of our mission.
Ultimately, the best term for our group of educational professionals may be one that integrates elements from all these concepts. We are a community in our shared values and mutual support, a family in our deep bonds and care for one another, a team in our collaboration and shared goals, and a business in our professionalism and strategic efforts.
I suspect this is why I typically default to “educational community” in trying to reflect the interconnectedness, support, and collaboration that define our work, while also acknowledging the professionalism necessary to achieve our goals.
What we call ourselves matters because it shapes our identity and influences our interactions. Words have power. An educational community has power, too and, hopefully, it is a place where everyone feels valued, supported, and inspired to achieve their best.