Episode 98: Pause to Ponder - April Fool's Day

Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.

I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.

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This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.

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What is one thing that you made smile in this past week? Was it work related? Was it personal? Was it both?

So often we get caught up in doing school that we forget about the most important aspect of education - building relationships. We focus on compliance, on academic growth, on data. And because of this school can easily become a place where nobody wants to be. Its draining because it demands and expects but does little to give back ... to fulfill. 

This episode is designed to make you think about moments that bring joy even in the midst of chaos and frustration. I share how my students, along with some help from my staff, finally staged an April Fool's joke that worked. Instead of being upset, instead of reprimanding them, I laughed along with them. 

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