by Sahira Kodra
In my blog post last year, Heavy is the Head that Wears the Crown, I reflected on my journey of growth and change. One significant development has been stepping into the role of Program Coordinator for the Baylor Center for School Leadership (BCSL). Since then, my perspective has only been reinforced: having Christ-centered relationships makes the burdens lighter and the work more fulfilling.
Last year, I admitted I couldn’t provide a simple solution to lightening the load, but I emphasized the power of relationships. Now, in my role working with the MA in School Leadership cohorts, I witness this power firsthand. Last night, cohort 3 completed their final class with enthusiasm and determination as they balanced it with full-time teaching commitments. It’s a testament to the strength found in community and shared purpose.
Throughout their journey, they have faced numerous challenges, from the devastating loss of loved ones to unexpected job shifts. Yet, in the face of adversity, they have consistently leaned on one another for support, finding solace in their Christ-centered relationships within the cohort.
Multiple members of cohort 3 tragically lost family members midway through the program. Despite the immense grief, their cohort rallied around them, offering shoulders to lean on and prayers to uplift their spirits.
In Dr. Jon Eckert’s book, Just Teaching, he summarizes Zaretta Hammond’s work when it comes to students. He shares, “we want to move students from avoiding to approaching to attaching. There are significant chemical rewards from the brain to individuals when we move from left to right in Figure 2.3.” When students are in flight or fight mode they are not in a mindset of learning. These graduate students could have easily succumbed to survival instincts amidst their trials and tribulations.
Eckert advocates for strategies that cultivate positive neurotransmitter responses—dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin—while reducing cortisol levels in learning environments. Laughter, play, storytelling, modeling gratitude, creating moments, and true fun are pivotal in this regard.
The students in cohort 3 took these suggestions to heart and through laughter and connections, they created a bond that transcended the challenges they faced, proving that even in the midst of adversity, there is always room for joy and growth. As I’ve witnessed, inside jokes became a source of shared amusement, sharing journeys, and utilizing program experiences to improve leadership abilities. It’s evident that through this connection with others, these students increased their oxytocin levels, fostering a state of well-being conducive to growth and true fun.
Sahira Kodra serves as the program coordinator for the School of Education’s Baylor Center for School Leadership (BCSL). Kodra works closely with the BCSL team to support the department’s mission. Through her role, she engages in the thriving community of Christian leadership in schools and districts. She provides administrative coordination within the BCSL through related event planning, program support, marketing, and accounting support. She joined Baylor University in the summer of 2023 from a position in Leander Independent School District, where she previously worked as a classroom teacher. Kodra received her Master of Arts in School Leadership from Baylor University in the fall of 2023 and earned her BSEd in Elementary Education with a Gifted and Talented Concentration from Baylor University in the spring of 2020.