Growing up in North Carolina, I felt like the summer break from school lasted forever. When I entered the teaching profession in the fall of 1975, summers started zooming by me.
For 31 years, I had the privilege of working in the public schools of Virginia. I would not trade those experiences for anything.After my career in education, I started working at our church.
Over the past 15 years, I’ve seen that schools and churches share common ground.
Between now and the end of August, public schools in Virginia will be opening. This is a hectic time for school officials as they attempt to fill last-minute teaching vacancies, ensure that bus routes are correct, and that air conditioning systems are working properly.
In the summer, churches can experience lighter attendance.
However, vacations don’t limit churches from supporting community organizations that assist our local schools. This summer, our congregation has provided school supplies for Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School, volunteers for the YMCA’s Bright Beginnings, and shoes and volunteers for Third Street Bethel AME’s New Shoes for Back to School.
A common pivot point for schools and churches is people. During the summer, school and church staff are prepping for the start of a new year. That prep culminates in the first day of school and the first Sunday, signaling the end of summer as students and congregations return.
So how do schools and churches ensure that they are ready? They work. In that readiness work, leaders must convey a vision that includes an understanding of the pulse, the capacity to listen, a framework for building relationships, a willingness to serve and the telling of stories that matter.
It doesn’t matter if you are leading a school or a church; people want to know your vision. Where are you taking them?
To do this, principals and pastors must learn and understand the pulse of their students, parents, staff, congregations and communities. No matter the size of the school or church, learning the pulse is grounded in taking the time to listen.
Learning the pulse and listening to voices in that pulse will develop an important framework for building relationships. Those relationships will enhance opportunities for schools and churches to serve their communities.
From vision, pulse, listening, relationships and service will come the sharing of their stories that matter.
Throughout the year, school and church leaders must invest in telling stories of success. In every classroom, in every sanctuary, there is a story of human interest.
That story might be about the perseverance of a homeless high school senior who lives in a motel with her family, but who is an honors student. That story might be about a church couple volunteering every summer at a respite camp for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Neither schools nor churches are immune to the ups and downs of human behavior or the whims of society. In those challenging moments when school or church life hasn’t been at its best, the storytelling must be honest.
School and church communities need to know that pressure is present in these cherished environments.
I can only begin to imagine the pressure on a principal working in a school where accreditation by the Virginia Department of Education has been denied. That same level of pressure can be felt on a pastor who has been sent to resurrect a dying congregation.
Overlooked in that pressure to serve at a high level is morale. The school and church year is long — work in some celebrations, humor and quiet time.
Both schools and churches have access to all types of data. Researchers have known for a long, long time the impact an outstanding classroom teacher can have on students. At the heart of that impact is the ability to build and grow relationships.
For some students, their six hours at school are the best six hours of their day. That same logic can apply to a person in a congregation who needs support adjusting to the loss of a loved one.
Neither schools nor churches will succeed if leaders can’t build beneficial relationships both inside and outside their walls. Winning over a difficult parent or a challenging member of a congregation depends upon building a relationship.
Having worked in each environment, I know schools and churches can be tough places.
Despite their imperfections, I believe in our public schools and our churches.
I hope our public schools and local churches get off to a good start.
Perhaps, a good start for students, parents, faculty, staff and congregations is grounded in this wisdom from Richmonder Ernest Parker, Jr.: “It does not cost a dime to be kind to all human beings.”
Amen.
Note from author: Friends, I was honored to have this op-ed piece published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch today Friday, August 28, 2026.
might be baloney 