Reflections

Guest post by Erin McMahon, MS, BCBA, LBA and Mom I was not my best me today. Yesterday was a rough day and I hadn’t fully recovered. I stayed up too late watching Tiny House Hunters and getting annoyed with the hunters every time they said one of the tiny houses was “way too small.” This morning wasn’t a smooth one. My own kids were slothlike and I was frustrated. So, like I do, I got mad at myself for being impatient and frustrated because obviously that helps (sarcasm font needed). I had back-to-back meetings scheduled at school this morning and usually that’s not a problem. Meetings are good, we learn from them and get ideas and solve problems. We make plans and help kids. Meetings result in more work but that doesn’t scare me because I really, really love my work. But I wasn’t a good version of me this morning and I’m still thinking about two times in these meetings when I screwed up- not huge screwups, but I struggle to let stuff go when I’m the one who made mistakes. ...

We gathered like every other edcamp session group had before. We were casually choosing our spaces at the table, putting down our phones, and hanging our bags off the chairs. Each of us waited patiently for someone to begin the session. I can't remember who began the conversation but I can remember parts of what she said. I remember the words because I couldn't believe it. Right there, in front of the entire group of strangers, she admitted these situations caused her some anxiety. She admitted while others saw her as this outgoing, confident leader that sometimes she felt like the complete opposite. She identified as an introvert and shared that putting herself out there, out here , took methodical effort on her part. I could barely believe my ears. This was someone I looked up to with great admiration. I had seen her work crowds as a professional development facilitator and was amazed by her ability to manage a varied group. I wanted to have the skills she had! Sittin...