Authorized Keeper
The authorized keeper is a professional post for an individual in the school community who exemplifies its values. The authorized keeper needn’t be an administrator–any member of staff or faculty can be a spiritual leader.
The authorized keeper could rotate from year to year, or you could have multiple keepers. What really matters is that the school community, adults and children alike, has a realistic role model for what living the values of the community looks like. The existence of an authorized keeper is also a radical demonstration of idealism in a jaded age–the school cares enough about its values to honor and acknowledge someone who embodies them.
Importantly, the authorized keeper is not an individual responsibility. Even though one individual may exceptionally embody a school community, the school community is responsible for supporting its authorized keeper, fairly honoring their work and their contributions, and appropriately assigning the authorized keeper post. Teachers have a lot on their plates and do not need more uncompensated responsibilities. Authorized Keeper is a title used to give recognition and agency to a community member who has made outside contributions to the spiritual health of the school, not to assign uncompensated emotional or administrative labor to a community member, or conversely to reward superficial popularity or professional performance.
The performance and well-being of the authorized keeper is, in many ways, an indicator of the cultural health of a school community. When the authorized keeper is held and supported, the culture is uplifted as well.
Example:
A School on Long Island has acknowledged and honored its commitment to its Mission and values by creating the role of “Dean of Faculty Mentoring.” This keeper ensures that individuals and groups are celebrated, that new faculty are cared for and supported, and that the Mission of the school is central to all elements of school life, from formal school convocation to the end of year faculty party.
Authorized Keeper is….
An authorized member of the school community who models and prioritizes school values.
Someone who knows the school well and ensures the school’s mission is embedded into all elements of the school.
Does not work alone but in collaboration with others throughout the school.
Authorized Keeper is not….
Necessarily an administrator
Always a designated spiritual advisor (i.e. chaplain, priest, etc.)