Give up or keep trying?

Sometimes it feels like I'm working, working, and working... but with very little measurable progress. Being at SFUSD this summer has been an education in many things like

- How to get things done without having any actual power (I'm an intern). Answer: it's difficult, but one's demeanor, sincerity, and humor go a long way toward getting people on your side. There is another component - power and authority - that I still haven't figured out how to leverage.

- How organizational silos are a serious hindrance to innovation. I've had many instances this summer where I'm looking for a particular piece of information and have to go from person to person to person. By sheer persistence I've usually found what I need, but it's hard. Classic case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing.

- How organizational history matters. At SFUSD (and, to be honest, at other organizations too), there is the expectation that initiatives will die. School districts go frequent leadership changes, so employees become accustomed to "change" as the norm. So, they ride out that "change", knowing that new initiatives will eventually peter out.

But, we persevere. Yes, it is frustrating and I would be lying if I didn't say that at times it's discouraging. But, I have to remind myself why I am doing this.

Yesterday I went to an elementary school to help out with opening day. I...

- watched over recess to make sure no kids got outside the playground

- had a kid come to me and say "he's not sharing the basketball" (didn't know what to do other than to tell the kid to ask the other kid if he could share the ball... which worked)

- helped a ton of kids open their milk cartons

- etc.

That is inspiration (probably more inspiration to go be a Kindergarten teacher, but I don't think that's my role...). These kids couldn't care less about my work at SFUSD. I'm just one small piece in the education world, but it's important to remember that my tiny central office job does have consequences. It's just hard to see that sometimes.

"Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it." - The Talmud