CERTAINTY IN UNCERTAINTY by Christina Courson Executive Director of Communications & Community Services Lockhart Independent School District
I
found an empty oversized leather chair in the lower lobby next to the semi-circular staircase. It was far enough away from the crowds at the TSPRA conference but close enough that I could return to the sessions as soon as I finished.
district hoped to accomplish with this message. We wanted to assure people we were on top of developments and would prioritize the health and safety of our students and staff.
“We are aware. We are on it. We will
Nearby, fellow TSPRAns typed on their laptops, update you frequently.” and others paced the halls with their cell phones, providing guidance to leaders back home. In situations of uncertainty, we can overcome paralysis in the moment by pivoting and focusing The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention instead on the things of which we are certain. just finished a press conference announcing sig- These are steps we already know to take, but in nificant developments about the novel coronavi- the moment, it is easy to forget. Here are three rus in the United States. Everything was about to thoughts to hold fast if you need help getting change. With this breaking national news, it was unstuck. just a matter of time before local media would seek examples of potential local impact. Parents “We are aware.” and staff would soon ask what we were doing about it in Lockhart ISD. Acknowledge the challenge. In a time of instant In our supportive environment of fellow TSPRAns, we regularly lean on each other and ask for examples of letters on any given subject for inspiration, but on February 25, 2020, there wasn’t a ready example COVID-19 letter because this was completely new territory. How could I describe how we were going to keep people safe from something about which we knew very little? I began typing, then deleting. I struggled to find the words. I took a deep breath and tried a different approach. I reframed and asked myself what the
16 Summer 2020 | www.TSPRA.org
