All the Feels – Lead with Culture

I know you might be thinking…didn’t she just write a book? Is this “all the feels” from publishing her new book?

No. Although, fasten your seatbelt because that post is coming. And if you are curious about how I might describe my “feels” concerning the book, in one word–SURREAL. The Be REAL journey will be shared soon, trust me.

But for now, this is the story burning in my heart. 

From a sensory girl’s perspective, there are times all the “feels” overwhelm me–even with all of my learned coping skills. For example, when sitting in a restaurant and hearing every single word and sound within a twenty to a thirty-foot radius, it’s absolutely exhausting to focus on listening to the one of whom I’m having dinner. I do it and manage well, but it’s not easy. Smells, lots of clutter, it doesn’t matter what sense is being overloaded–all the feels often drain my battery quick. However, there are situations and experiences where “all the feels” do not overwhelm or drain me, but rather cause quite the opposite reaction. 

First Greetings

This week I had the opportunity to visit The Slackwood Elementary in Lawrence, New Jersey, led by, the author of Lead with Culture, Jay Billy. My eyes are leaking as I type this post. Why? Because what that school has is so real. It’s authentic. It’s warm and welcoming from the moment you walk in the door. At first, I thought, “Well, this is how they greet a guest; that’s to be expected.” Not so. From the nurse to the counselor and even the PTO president–everyone made me feel like a part of the Slackwood family. 

The Students

I didn’t really know how the students might respond if I put on a silly hat and joined Jay to greet them for morning bus duty. I thought they might look at me skeptically and ask, “Who are you?”

Not a chance. They jumped off the bus gave Mr. Billy a high-five and marched over to me and hugged me. “Welcome to Slackwood; what’s your name?” said a second grader. Hugs, smiles, squeals, and one little guy even brought Jay a custom, handmade hat. Are you feeling the first ten minutes of students arriving at Slackwood Elementary, yet?

I just watched in awe how the students raced to get in the front doors with huge smiles and love for everyone. They represent their “Golden Heart” motto from the youngest to the oldest member of the school community. Oh, and did I mention that they are entering a building with no AC? Many of their classrooms are pushing eighty degrees with the windows open, but it didn’t slow the students from racing to the place they love–their learning home. 

Later I joined a Kindergarten class for morning greetings. “Have a seat Mrs. Martin. This is our dancing greeting time.” OMtotheG, who doesn’t love a little dance party at 8 AM in the morning?

The welcoming zeal never faded.

From listening to students share their past and present experiences at Slackwood Elementary at the Moving Up program to teaching the second graders how to create #BookSnaps and hearing them call me by name and greet me with hugs as they headed out to recess, all the feels consumed me–in the most incredible way.

Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this family? 

Through an administrator lens, I knew I was reaping the benefits of something profound, something that took a lot of intentionality and modeling to attain and sustain. Something that wasn’t born overnight and won’t disappear overnight either. I knew that I was experiencing what Jay Billy has cultivated–a lead with culture school. This man lives it. He breathes it, and even the five-year-olds in his building model leading with culture.

This is the type of school every student in this world deserves. 

Every member of every school community deserves all the feels. Who wouldn’t want to walk into a learning atmosphere that has joy unspeakable? JOY unspeakable! You know the kind that no words quite capture the emotion? In fact, even at this moment, attempting to type this feeling in words, my heart merely melts out my eyes. #HeartPuddles It’s deep; it’s felt. It’s real.

THAT is the product of leading with culture. 

To Mr. Billy-

Jay, you have left a legacy—not an “I know Jay Billy” legacy, but an I will continue to “show kindness and lead in love” legacy. The kind that never, ever dies in the hearts of those who are fortunate to experience it.

I’m honored to have had this Slackwood Elementary opportunity. No doubt, I gained far more than I could have ever contributed. And while I might have only been there less than a full-day, I believe my heart might have turned gold-ish from merely brushing shoulders with this dynamic school community—every single member. 

This girl has all the feels, and it isn’t terrifying–it’s energizing, inspiring, and invigorating. This is an experience I’ll likely never forget. It’s a memorable moment in the life of TMM. Thank you for being the REAL deal, Jay and sharing your manifesto with us so we, too, can lead with culture.

To My Readers-

Do yourself a favor and read this book. Just know you can trust the content. This fella walks the talk, friends.