Reflections

Each morning, I tip toe to the kitchen, make coffee before sunrise, and then take some time before the house wakes up to read. Some of that reading includes catching up on twitter and other social media posts. Maybe it's my age, the time of year, or just my routine that needs spicing up, but I've grown tired of a trend I am seeing online. Since when did it become okay to belittle someone's opinion because it didn't match yours? I've learned over the years that #edvoice matters. People tweet their support of others using their voice and expressing an opinion. I don't always agree with everything I've seen written but I appreciate reading respectful, opposing views. As a member of the New York Educator Voice Fellowship, however, I've witnessed that same courtesy isn't always applied by others. Sometimes, when a new post appears in the Facebook group, harsh comments follow. I've noticed it on twitter too. Some of the comments are on topic wit...

If I believe everything I read about adolescence, I am supposed to remember that this is tough work. Over the last 4 years, I've been knee deep in doubt wondering if I am doing the best with my son. I've worried about what he's been through, what he's endured, words he's had to hear, and if I've given him any advice that is meaningful as he grows up (and in some ways -- away). He is by NO MEANS a perfect kid.  But, being a mom has impacted me as a teacher and then as a leader. Due to some recent events and observations, I've realized that some of the worries I used to have about my son have lessened. Some have disappeared. And some, are just a whisper.  I try to remember what my "mom shoes" feel like when I meet with parents.  I think as parents we have similar worries about our kids. We want them to feel safe. We want them to meet with success. We want them to be forgiven and supported when they make mistakes.   We want them to be noticed for ...

Over the last few days, I've talked a lot about social media with some of my students. In discussing recent posts my students have seen or have actually posted, we've been examining their tone and message. Most of what has been shared with me has been what I would consider vanilla. But, that's not true for all of it. Some of it is mean. Some of it is incredibly serious.  Some of it is posted with intent to hurt, with intent to cause pain to another person. I've been thinking about how our students use social media to say things they would never say in person and realize kids are not the only ones that do that. My facebook news feed has multiple posts by multiple people expressing concern or even disgust with another adult or group of adults. Current events from around the globe has played a part in all of it too. At what age does it become acceptable to create posts with the intention to harm? Is that really where we want to have the power of social media harnessed?...

Have you recently heard an educator use the phrase "in the trenches"? Maybe you're a principal and you've been told, "Well, those of us down here (in the trenches) think..."  John T. McCrann wrote a piece about this phrase, Can We Stop Saying That Teachers Work in the Trenches ?". He wrote, in part: " While I do recognize the difficulty of the social justice pursuit in which we are engaged, I refuse to speak about the place I teach and learn as "the trenches." To do so would frame this situation as a hardship to endure rather than a problem to be solved." I enjoyed his piece and want to add "my two cents". Well, those of us down here in the trenches... This phrase implies two thoughts. Let's break this down. "Those of us down here..."  That indicates some misunderstanding or even use of a hierarchy. We are down here . You are up there. You can't possibly know what this feels like. "In...

I was recently given the chance to deliver a mini-keynote of sorts to a group of educators. My charge was to talk about what was most important to me as an educator. I had nearly two weeks to figure out what I should say. I began to think about current influences. There were pieces of each scattered in my mind (and heart).  From all that I had been reading and digesting as of late, what was sticking with me the most?   Created with Padlet I knew I could talk about something academic but I kept coming back to all of these ideas that were not nearly as neat in my head as they are on this padlet board. (If only my mind could look that!). While I know the role of an educator is an academic one, I wanted to focus on heart first.  I found a way to weave the main parts of each of these life influences into a short essay. That essay was edited multiple times and became the talk.  That "mess" of ideas...that's how our work is sometimes. We take pieces of...

I was getting teased by a friend about how long I had been working in my current position. "How long have you been there?" "Four years as Principal but 10 years in the district." "You do realize you've overstayed your welcome." "What?!" "Your shelf life. Most administrators only have 5-7 years in each position. You've passed that." That conversation was intended to be light hearted but it had me thinking hours later. We know that one of the most critical educational influences in a child's performance is an awesome teacher. But, right after that, we usually hear about the need for solid leadership. At the NASSP Principals' Institute, the suggestion was shared that principals might even share the top spot with teachers in determining success. The argument was great principals hire great teachers...they need each other. I still believe teachers make the most direct difference but I am aware of how interdependent bo...

What is it about some days that absolutely knock us down? When life hands me a particularly difficult day, I remind myself it's a reality check. Tough days happen so we are able to appreciate the good days more. How would we know what an awesome day felt like in the absence of a not so awesome day? In our work, we make mistakes. Sometimes, we make a lot of them. In thinking about recent conversations, I've realized that one of the most common mistakes I've seen or even been a part of is the pressure to always do better, be better, do more, and become more. But what is better? What does more really mean? Why does that even matter? I've decided there are secrets to life in these struggles.  Reminders of sorts... Appreciate the people in your world. Appreciate where you are today even if it's a bad weather day.  Mistakes are meant to teach you a lesson. Accept the instruction. No one person is or can be perfect. Practice forgiveness in generous amou...