Editor’s Note: All of you have been effected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The following sample of statements and comments are some initial reflections and prognostications from some of your ALSS colleagues. The hope is that these remarks will spur further reflection, analysis, and prayerful consideration as you lead your school into the future.
What is the #1 leadership lesson you’ve learned from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Dr. Craig Ernstmeyer, Head of School, Lutheran High School, (St. Peter, MO)
“I have always been a big believer in the quote, ‘Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond.’ Lutheran schools nailed the response! There was no ‘can’t,’ it was simply a matter of ‘how.’ I think it was important for all involved to realize we were all in this together. I think it was important to make sure to keep the support up throughout the crisis, not just at the beginning—support ranging from procedural pieces, to teacher well-being pieces, to other leaders’ well-being pieces. It is hard at the top, and it is important for early and consistent support, even if it is just sharing the good news or kind comments you have received with others. If you are at the top, find someone who you can share with, mentor, spouse or area pastor.”
Sheila Psencik, Head of School, Luther South Academy (Houston, TX)
“One of the challenges for us was that even though we are a 1:1 campus, we did not have a unified LMS in place heading in to this crisis. We have talked about it for years but had never taken the plunge due to cost and differing opinions on ‘the best’ one. Looking back, the transition to remote learning would have been much easier had we already been using Canvas. Instead, we asked our faculty to learn a new platform and a new way of teaching all in one week. That was a lot for them and probably caused more stress than anyone was needing at that point. Looking to the future, I think our administration will be more proactive and creative when we desire to do something but are lacking funds or time to get it in place.”
Dr. Jay Krause, Executive Director, Metro-East Lutheran High School, (Edwardsville, IL)
“Be proactive as an administrator and don’t run the risk of being reactive in your role as the CEO. Administrators would be wise to make it a point to anticipate scenarios and seek to plan and prepare when your ‘gut’ tells you to in order to keep your ministry at the forefront of whatever situation you are confronted with….Another life lesson that was learned, and will be important for the future, is to communicate effectively, efficiently, and don’t assume that your school population knows what you know. In my opinion, you can rarely ‘over-communicate’ to those that are most important to you in what you do daily…namely, Board members, Faculty & Staff, Students, and School families.”
Dr. Steven Buuck, Chief Executive Officer, Faith Lutheran (Las Vegas, NV)
“Every leadership author is correct: Communication is key. That includes with employees, families, media, and students. Transparent, timely, honest, and helpful information deepens trust and respect.”
Dan Gehrke, Executive Director, Lutheran High School (Parker, CO)
“Knowing your audience and understanding your customer base helps in how to make quick decisions. For instance, our customers tend to want lots of information, but don’t like it when you move too quickly without proper deliberation. We learned that it is okay to email your community and say, ‘I’m going to hit a quick pause, see how the dominoes fall, and get back to you soon.’ As long as you do this and communicate logical reasoning, most of them are okay with your decisions.”
Dr. Cary Stelmachowicz, Executive Director, THE Lutheran High School of Kansas City, (Kansas City, MO)
“Seriously, this strange time has led me to believe that we were all placed in our positions ‘for such a time like this’ (Esther 4:14). Just like the story of Esther, God is giving us the opportunity to shine in a world of fear and anxiety. We either seize the day and move forward transitioning our schools and staffs into the frontrunners in educational service, or we lazily watch and follow the pathetic leadership of political and public institutions….I am enjoying the challenge of this time. Will parents pull their kids? Will enrollment drop next year? Will we deliver a viable product for the rest of the year? All good questions and so far all positive answers. We need to lead and not follow…A few other thoughts: two words are critical—patience and perseverance. Education has always been a bit too formulaic. Educators are usually the last group to come to the table. We are discovering new and exciting ways to educate students. For some this will be beneficial and for others, not so much. Your best teachers just became much better, more valuable, and your poor teachers just became worse, less reliable, more of a burden. Creative administrators have performed well and those stuck in the student/parent handbook of life have struggled. Change is ok. We have a changeless God, but exist in an ever-changing world….Finally let me just say thank God for Lutheran schools. I want to ask my peers how many times have you heard that in the last month? I have heard it often and from different parts of the country. I am so proud of our Lutheran grade school system in the Kansas City metro area for stepping up and providing quality Christ-centered education from the beginning of this pandemic. I am very proud of my staff as well. We adopted the mantra of ‘we will lead’ and in so doing continue to provide the same education as always by using modified systems. Our public school system has fallen flat on its collective face. Outside of providing lunches for kids, not much else is being accomplished. If ‘freezing grades’ and ‘optional attendance’ are meeting student needs, then I am in the wrong profession. And these are some of the highest rated wealthy public school districts around. But I say, thank you for showing your true colors and thank you Lutheran teachers and administrators for displaying what ministry is all about. I was asked recently, ‘why are you working so hard?’ Simple answer: ‘we love our students and our families.’ This is what we do and have always done. Funny how sometimes it takes a disaster for people to actually see the seismic chasm between public and Christian education. We have known it all along. Maybe the pandemic wakes people up and they will understand the value of Lutheran schools.”