Week 10 (May 24-30)

By Dr. Korin Visocchi,
Associate Head of School at Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

My mother would tell you I was always asking questions and pondering how the world worked. During Sunday chores, my older sister, Darcy, would vacuum because she enjoyed the precision of the task while I would dust because I could meander through the family bookshelves filled with the 1970s encyclopedias, collectible tractors and barbershop quartet memorabilia. 

In a similar way, since arriving to the campus of Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield Hills, I have been meandering and pondering the great legacy of women leadership in Sacred Heart Schools. A rich tradition of leadership with women at the helm was formed and bound together by the charism of foundress Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat. And despite being in North America for 200 years, the Network of Sacred Heart Schools has not found a prominent place on the proverbial academic and leadership bookshelves.

The courageous and compassionate stories of our foundress and school leaders today have always impressed me. In an effort to lift up their bold narratives, I focused my recent doctoral study on the lived experiences of five women who navigated a path to head of school leadership positions in Network of Sacred Heart Schools. To give space fully to their narratives, only two prepared questions were used in my study: How were you formed as a leader and how were you formed as a Sacred Heart leader?

After reflecting and analyzing their stories, poems, timelines and paintings, four leadership themes emerged: exposure, formation, heart and transformation.  

Exposure, the first thematic construct, nods to the witnessing of leadership and participation in leadership during childhood that all five women noted in their leadership timelines and interviews.  

Formation, the second thematic construct, related to the early career experiences as both educators and administrators. Whether it be a challenge in a new role, mentors or inspiring coursework; participants related their early career in education to who they are as educational leadership today. 

Heart, the third thematic construct, surfaced as spirituality, prayer and meditation were discussed as essential components of their leadership formation and who they are as leaders today. Whether at the local level, or more globally, the women always put love, hope and heart at the center of their decision-making.  

Transformation, the fourth construct, was evidenced by the compassion and responsibility each woman offered for the future of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools. As a whole, the women were inspired by a calling to make a difference in the lives of children and in their communities.  

Just as breathing is a natural habit of the body, so is reflecting on experiences from your life. While I have always loved a great question, I have recently grown to appreciate deep generative listening in a profound new way. As we move through this time of living with COVID-19, my prayerful hope is that you continue to ask questions guided by courage and create just as much time for compassionate listening. 

Questions for your gaze out the window today: 


(Photo by Bonnie Kearney, RSCJ)

What questions guide you today?

What early EXPOSURE helps to shape your actions these days?

Is something new being FORMED in you these days?

Where do you experience your HEART and mind together as one?

How is TRANSFORMATION making something new visible?