We Don't Know

Lately, I have found myself saying and hearing the phrase, “You don’t know what you don’t know” quite a bit. It seems silly when you say it out loud, but the power behind that phrase is mind-boggling. Whether you are a newbie teacher, a first year administrator, a beginning principal, or even a veteran educator, these words ring true. We assume that people have the answers and are equipped to do the job they’re hired to do. We assume students know what the words ‘respect’, ‘honesty’, and ‘responsibility’ mean. We assume everyone wants to do the right thing. But, people don’t know what they don’t know.

It is our job to teach, inspire, and lead people to be their best. It is our duty to provide them with the proper tools they need in order to find success. It is our obligation to make sure they know what is expected of their performance. No longer can we just think that they know. No longer can we get angry with them when they don’t know.

We have to be the difference. TEACH people where they are; LEAD them where you want them to go. Don’t just assume that knowledge is there. PUT it there!