Who's In #5

I have "met" some pretty amazing people through twitter. One of them is Jon Harper. He has, once again, challenged his PLN to take notice of the small moments within a day that cause big impact. The challenge is to find one thing a day to note.

I will use this post to add a moment a day for the next 4 days.


TUESDAY'S MOMENT

Yesterday was a return to school for my middle school. We had just finished a Spring Break that lasted until this past Monday. Sometimes it is hard to get back into the groove of our work. Sometimes it is not. Yesterday seemed like one of the days where it was not.

I had some time to talk to students who had been asking to see me. That always reminds me why I think being a principal is an incredible job. There was one young man who earlier in the day, in the hall, told me he had to talk to me. This young man was worried about his friend whom he had seen drinking an energy drink before school. We researched the ingredients in the drink and even stopped by the Health teacher's class (sometimes my kids like it when I consult the experts) to ask a few questions about the ingredients. There were some 8th grade students there who were willing to take a two minute break and help answer some questions I had (for modeling purposes) about energy drinks and why some kids would drink them. The 8th grade students were able to explain (much of what I was trying to explain) to the 6th grade student but did it far better than I could have. By the end of the short visit to Health Class, the 6th grade student, I think, felt armed with answers.

As he walked away from my office, another young man walked in. "Hey, Mrs. Meade, do you have a minute? Remember you said I could talk to you about something?".

"You bet I do. I'll be right with you."

WEDNESDAY'S MOMENT

There are days, like in all professions, that go better than others. I am usually pretty good about reminding myself that bad days come to remind you what good days really feel like. In venting to some of the amazing PLN members I have, I realized our struggles are the same.

We cry, we fall, we get back up.

When I first began administration, one of the earliest lessons I realized is that sometimes our bravest moments occur when we head right back into work the next day. The work will not always be easy. Sure, it would be easy to stay down and continue to list the defeating forces we are facing. We could keep rehearsing the negative self-talk that creeps in at times.

But, we're better than that. Aren't we, PLN?

Here's to a better tomorrow and knowing we are never alone.

THURSDAY'S MOMENT

One of today's highlights was trying to arrange my son's upcoming birthday party. Sam will turn 12 soon and has decided, at the very last minute, that he would like a birthday party. We have alternated parties one year and big presents on alternating years. As Sam has gotten older, we have allowed him to choose whether this is a party year or a big present year. Yesterday, he decided it was a party year. In the recent past, Sam has usually chosen big present year and has shied away from all the social pressure hosting a party can bring.  My son is not your typical or traditional boy. He would rather have pink balloons instead of blue ones. He would rather sit, talk and draw with his friends instead of tossing a football or playing catch.

After much discussion of possible options, he chose the location for the party. I had promised him last night I would call the venue today to see what they had available. Unfortunately, I did not get to making the call as promised. When I walked through the door this evening, Sam followed up with me asking if I had contacted the place. I felt embarrassed that I had not. I asked him if we could call together immediately. A part of me worried the venue would already be booked (his birthday is two weeks away and we were calling on very short notice.). I placed the call and hoped for the best.

As luck would turn out, they had the date and time I needed available!  Sam listened to me talk to the vendor and smiled as I confirmed the details.  We then spent the next hour designing his invitations and printing them together.

None of this had anything to do with my role as a school administrator. This moment was all about being a Mom and getting wrapped up in the excitement a birthday is supposed to bring.

Happy Almost Birthday to one of the neatest kids I know. :)

FRIDAY'S MOMENT

Guest post by Valerie Klaiber, MS Health Teacher

My co-worker, great friend, next door neighbor, confidant came back from spring break with a virus called Bell's Palsy.  It is where half of your face goes numb, almost looking like a stroke victim.  She is a beautiful person inside  and out.  Her roles in life are endless.  To name a few, she is a middle school teacher, coach, mother, and wife.  The support the student body has showed her this week is nothing less then beautiful.  To watch the students show such care, concern, and empathy is wonderful.  It makes me so proud to work in a place where when things are less then ideal we, as a school community, come out strong, supportive and unified.