Reflections

The first meeting was a 62 mile drive from work. I rearranged my schedule to be there on time, leaving a cushion of minutes in case I hit heavy traffic. I wasn't familiar with the meeting location and had never met the other individual before. I arrived and waited just a short time for the meeting to begin. I spent some time in an empty conference room prior to the official start. That's always nerve wracking, sitting alone in a new place and anticipating the appointment. Soon enough, introductions were made, questions asked, and 18 minutes later, the meeting adjourned. 18 minutes. I thought about that on the car ride home. I had now hit the traffic jam I had anticipated on the way down. What about this conversation only had it last that long? I could tell, in the meeting, I wasn't making a connection no matter how hard I tried. It felt flat on my part and maybe even hers as well. I wondered what she was thinking as I was driving away. Perhaps, relieved THAT meeting was...

Many of my posts are about students and their struggles. I sometimes use this forum to process extraordinary efforts made by the talented people I have the privilege of working with. Sometimes, I use this medium to process mistakes I've made so that I can become better, recognizing I am deeply aware of the flaws I bring to the work I try to do each day. But, this morning, I am not thinking about our students. Instead, I am thinking about some of the adults I work with, my colleagues. I have different kinds of relationships with each of them so I suspect a few would even be surprised they are on my mind this morning. Yet, they are. I'm thinking about the colleagues supporting their grown parents through Alzheimer's. I'm thinking about the secondary teacher who battles her own physical illness each day only to spend most late afternoons and early evenings on her couch. Teaching is her passion but it's taking most of her energy. I'm thinking about the ne...