From the AWSP President
Benched by COVID
Chris Visserman
Principal, Hawk Elementary at Jackson Park, Central Kitsap SD
Evaluation Criteria: Creating a Culture, Improving Instruction, Engaging Communities, Closing the Gap
In the corner of my office sits a photo of my great grandfather who served as a school principal in the Netherlands about 100 years ago. Though I never met the man, sometimes I’ll glance over and wonder about the challenges that he faced so long ago as a school principal. He would have surely been strained by the effects of the Spanish Flu and the severe economic impacts of WWI that were still taking their toll on the Dutch economy at the time. There would have been political divisions within the community, parents with vastly different views about the role of schools, and a government trying to sort through an array of initiatives aimed at moving the country forward. Sound familiar?
School leaders have faced challenges for generations and our current moment in time has undoubtedly tested us all beyond what we could have ever imagined when we first laced up our “principal shoes.” Understandably, each of us will have our moments of exasperation when we read the news, respond to parents who don’t agree with COVID protocols, or attend a contentious school board meeting. Perhaps if we change our lens slightly, and recognize that each individual is simply on their own unique journey, we may find that in spite of the polarization, it is still possible to find common ground, joy, and a sense of unity within our community.
This past August, I was thrilled to have my entire staff back “in person” for our four days to collaborate and prepare for the new school year. Though many questions about COVID protocols still lingered, our staff was eager to roll up their sleeves and get right back to work to ensure that we were ready for our 430 students here in Bremerton. Our time together did not disappoint. When our fourth day was over, I was filled with satisfaction knowing our commitment was strong and we made solid progress in affirming and strengthening our collective self-efficacy as school staff. Our journey together for this new school year had begun and we were ready!
A sense of calm soon developed knowing that these people around us were stepping up to support not only my own family, but also all of the students and families at our school who would be without a principal for the start of the school year. While I wasn’t even able to be there, these many simple acts of kindness made this the most rewarding start of the school year ever.
And then the other shoe dropped. On Sept. 2, my wife called and shared that she had tested positive for COVID-19 on a routine screening. In what seemed like an instant, my two young sons and I had also tested positive and we were all under quarantine and not eligible to return to school until at least Sept. 13. This was not part of the plan! I was fully vaccinated, followed the protocols, and still tested positive. It felt like the days when I was a college basketball player and the coach told me I had been benched for the game. All of the anticipation, preparation, hard work, and I don’t get to play? I don’t get to be there for the start of school? How can this be?
Within just a matter of hours, I developed symptoms and found myself with only enough energy to order groceries online and play an occasional game of “Sorry” with my sons. How wonderful, though, that at this same time my phone was ringing and the emails were streaming in with well wishes and offers of support. These amazing people represented the entire political spectrum and virtually all points of view within our community. We quickly became humbled by the outpouring of support that came our way. A sense of calm soon developed knowing that these people around us were stepping up to support not only my own family, but also all of the students and families at our school who would be without a principal for the start of the school year. While I wasn’t even able to be there, these many simple acts of kindness made this the most rewarding start of the school year ever.
It is an honor to serve you as the AWSP Board President for 2021-22. My journey with AWSP in a variety of roles these past years has been tremendously rewarding. I deeply appreciate how AWSP is a respected voice and strong advocate for principals and public education with policymakers at all levels within our state and nation. I am proud that our organization embraces diversity and equity as a foundational component of our work and that we are proactive at advocating for those who are underserved and underrepresented. I look forward to continuing our important work and collaborating with others to learn, listen, seek to understand, and lead. I wish you all a wonderful school year and I await the opportunity to work with you.◼
Chris Visserman is the 2021-22 AWSP Board President. He has been principal at Hawk Elementary at Jackson Park, Central Kitsap School District since 2010.
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Washington Principal | Volume 1– 2021-22
