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As a school leader, one of the most important lessons to learn is to never assume. Matt Renwick’s experience as an assistant principal and athletic director for a middle school taught him this. A student came to his office to report another student with cigarettes in his locker, but it turned out the reporting student was trying to get a reward.
Renwick learned that trust is a verb and a mindset that school leaders must adopt and practice every day. Jen Schwanke’s book Trusted emphasizes the importance of building trust with students, parents, and teachers through small interactions over time.
Building Trust
Jen Schwanke’s years of experience as a building principal are evident in her book. She makes concrete the concept that trust can sometimes be ephemeral, and that it is built through day-to-day actions, not heroic decisions or motivational speeches.
According to the book, trust grows through small interactions over time, and it is the cumulative effect of countless relational exchanges and dozens of tiny moments. Renwick can relate to this, as he formed deep connections with teachers, students, and families through countless conversations with them.
For example, he had a student named Gary who was a regular visitor to his office for verbal and physical aggression toward others. Renwick would act surprised to see him and expect him to be better, and eventually, Gary did improve.
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Trust Pillars and Killers
Jen Schwanke balances out trust pillars, such as frequent positive interactions, with trust killers, which include a leader’s unwillingness to own up to their mistakes and not follow through on their commitments. Breaking promises, treating people poorly, or failing to honor confidences can all damage trust.
Renwick recalls a time when he avoided a parent who was never happy with his discipline decisions regarding her child. Instead of greeting her, he hid in a counselor’s office. If he could do it over again, he would put aside his desire for peace and listen to her, trusting her intentions and ensuring she felt heard.
The subtitle of Jen’s book offers the secret to successful schools: build a culture of trust. Support everyone on their journey to excellence, and believe it is possible. A culture of trust in a school means each student, staff member, and community member feels valued, respected, safe, and able to grow into the best versions of themselves.
Renwick’s experience as a middle level principal taught him that trust is the foundation for collective practice. When mistakes were made, they attempted to learn from them together. His first lesson as a school leader was to never assume, but Jen Schwanke’s book offers an exception to that rule: assume everyone in the school is capable of growth and excellence.
They didn’t deliver instruction with perfection, but they were continuously striving to improve. School funding plays a role in this, as it affects the quality of education provided. Trust was the foundation for their collective practice, and they believed in their teachers and students instead of dictating one right way.
