Reflections

She had called to tell me about the mistakes the young man had made. We were both advocates for this student but it seemed that each time he successfully completed three steps forward, he'd take five steps back. On the surface, it almost looked deliberate. As if it was a test of our character to still believe in him or to let him go. We agreed that this incident might better become a life lesson for him and that as much as we wanted to will him into not acting this way, we didn't have complete control over his responses. He'd learn through that response and these were the years when we wanted him to learn all this and not later in life or never. She promised to be there for him to help him process the decision he was making even if it was the wrong one.  Naysayers will proclaim he never deserved the chance we were giving him. I've been thinking a lot about the topic of equity lately...as it relates to so many things: school funding, resources, gender, race, reli...

Some of my best conversations are with colleagues in similar positions in other districts. At this time of year, many of us are reflecting on how the year went. We share successes and not so successes. Some of us share plans about moving on to a different district while others of us find resolve to do better right where we are! I recently read this post by Jay Posick and was struck by how many of his goals could easily be mine. I used to be part of a #middleleaders voxer group with Jay and I can tell you one thing. He sets the bar HIGH for himself. I'd listen in time and time again and realize he was crushing it as a principal, as a human being. There was so much more I could be doing and did because I learned with Jay. Jay's goals are organized around 3 ideas: Be Better for Kids Be Better for Staff Be Better for Families I really like the way he organizes the action steps around each. His post then reminded me of a chalkboard I once saw at an exhibit in Dollywood...

I've had some quiet moments in this office over the last two weeks. The bustle of school is noticeably absent. I'm working on completing a lot of required paperwork. In the quiet of the day, my mind will wander and I keep revisiting two stories from this year that taught me so much. Story #1 The parent was adamant she didn't know her son was going to be placed in an integrated classroom. Her child was a general education student and didn't need the supports that the "other kids" needed. She demanded her son be moved to a different classroom. The principal stood firm and assured the parent that her son was in an incredible classroom with amazing teachers. The parent eventually gave up asking for a different placement.  What could not have been predicted is what happened after that decision. Her son became close friends with a young girl in the class. A beautiful, funny, spunky, brilliant girl who also happens to be on the autism spectrum.   When...