7: Physically Distant But Socially Connected
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Published:2025
Crystal Waterman, Christina Wright Fields, 2025. "Physically Distant But Socially Connected", Leading in the Midst of it All: Surviving and Thriving Through COVID-19 and Racial Reckonings, Sheree N. Alexander, Aaron J. Griffen, C. Dedra Williams, Karen “Dr. K.” Griffen
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“How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters work together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1, Peterson, 2002). In the scriptures, unity is described as something that brings forth life, joy, and sustainability among a group of people. When individuals work together and in harmony, even in times of trial or adversity, everyone is uplifted.
The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic required school leaders such as myself (an elementary school principal, a woman of color, and a woman of faith) to unify the school community as a whole—teachers, students, staff, and parents—to withstand the challenges we were about to face. I must admit my initial apprehension about how to move forward. I did not know what to expect. I asked myself questions, such as:
