"Growing" is my philosophy. To me, "growing" in my sense means development. In my work as a school administrator, "growing" can be related to 3 main groups of people. First is personal growth. Second is staff enrichment. Third is student maturation. To enable growth, it is very necessary to have a sense of learning, teaching and cooperation. The more we learn, the more we apply the new things that we learn, the more we grow. When we feel that we have grown, we will be happy in our work.
The first point of personal growth, a sense of learning is the factor that helps me the most. Before helping others to grow, I should first develop myself. I try to learn many new things not only by attending professional trainings and seminars but also by reading, watching television, surfing the Internet and discussing various topics with experts. The more I get information, the more I can improve myself.
Moreover, although I am a supervisor, I can learn from my staff, my students and their parents. For example, I participate in staff meetings or discuss any unfamiliar topic with my staff who know that topic very well. Also, I talk with my students and their parents and gain many new ideas from them.
Enriching my staff is the second point that is very important. If my staff feel that they can grow in our school each day and that they can accomplish their goals in the school, they feel powerful and eager to work.
Through staff enrichment, I am trying to create a sense of learning, teaching and cooperation among the teachers. They can learn from each other. They can observe each other's teaching and help each other to improve their instruction. Learning is on going. Our school climate can be positive and supportive.
Finally, when my staff and I improve ourselves effectively, we help each other help our students. Student growth is not only improving academic performance but also preparing our students to live among others in the real world. For example, we teach our students how to interact with others, how to give and how to make friends.
"Growing" is only a short and simple word but its meaning is very rich and complex. It is the most important element for running school. It enables each individual to develop both academically and personally and to enrich the social development of peers as well.