Relationships can be more than a direct interaction between two people.  In fact, it is often found that relationships within an organization can be graphed to reveal an intricate pattern that has formed among and between individuals and/or groups within that organization.  Recently, my husband wrote a statement to answer the question, “What makes a successful school?” I liked his thoughts so much that I asked permission to use them in this blog.

“So, what does it take to have a successful school?  Yes, great expectations are certainly a part of it, but there is more.  First, and foremost perhaps, a school must have students who are motivated and eager to learn (not to mention having the mental capacity to learn. and we like to pretend that everyone does).  Beyond an eager, motivated, and capable student body, a school needs parental support and not just for an athletic program (perhaps no support for an athletic program – but that would probably be asking too much).  Next, there must be a dedicated faculty willing to put in more than just thirty or thirty-five hours of classroom teaching [each week] – they must be willing to dedicate many hours both to academic and character development among their students.  Finally, there must be an administration of some sort that makes sure funds are spent on the students and the education process. The educational philosophy of the administration must encompass all of the things that have been addressed above. Their integrity and dedication must be “sold out” to this philosophy.

When all of these things are present, learning will occur and people will notice that there’s something different going on in that school.  Notice, I did not say great students, great parents, great faculty or great administration. I used different adjectives like motivated, engaged, excited and dedicated.  I also described each of these having an element of integrity, although I did not use the word for each of the groups. This combination of ingredients will result in successful students.”   Jim D. Johnson

Now, to me, that “combination of ingredients” is another phrase for relationships!  Some of our nation’s leaders said, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Again, that means there are relationships among and between groups of people which bring about success.  

One of the reasons Jim has been thinking so much about this is that he is about to do an accreditation review with a school whose sole mission is to equip autistic students with the ability to enter and perform successfully in a regular school setting.  This is an amazing mission for this school to have. These students will have to develop basic skills of relating with others in traditional ways necessary to thrive in a regular school setting. I believe they will, more than any school I’ve ever known, have to establish and build upon relationships developed with each individual child.  What a calling this educator and her board have undertaken. Hats off to them, and my prayers go with them. Kay