Reflections

Next week, I have an interview scheduled with a teacher candidate that will not remember me when we meet. When I reviewed her paperwork, I remembered her instantly! In fact, she was one of my many supervisors during one of my more formal employment experiences. I was a college student studying special education and in search of a summer job that both fit the resume I was trying to build but allowed me the chance to live away from home. Becoming a camp counselor did just that! I was hired my first year as a CIT (Counselor in Training) and then moved up to counselor. The following summer, I was able to work at the Headquarters Station running basic logistics for the campground. I learned to make announcements, create and follow schedules, perform emergency drills, and interact with various members of the camp community. I was woefully underqualified to become a camp counselor. I still can't pick poison ivy out in the woods and scream at alarming decibels at the sight of snakes. I...

Father's Day used to be a tough holiday for me. When I was younger, I felt left out as if a bigger spotlight was being shone on the fact that I was the child of a single mother. That my brother and I didn't have the strong, constant male influence our friends had. Thankfully, looking back, I can see where uncles and fathers of friends stood in when they could. I didn't connect those dots back then but I do now...as a parent looking back through the eyes of a child. I am incredibly grateful to each of them. He Didn't Have to Be - Brad Paisley "Lookin' back all I can say about all the things he did for me Is I hope I'm at least half the dad that he didn't have to be.." As I've gotten older and worked with more and more students, I've seen how the lack of a father figure significantly impacts self-esteem. So today, I am thinking about what some of the most resilient kids I've ever met don't have.  It causes me to u...

We were making small talk at the end of a meeting. Each of us lamenting on the loss of two celebrities this week to suicide. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US. The talk turned to how much pain people carry with them. As educators, we try to do a lot for students and providing supports around mental health. I've been fortunate enough to be in this field for over 24 years and have seen the improvements we've made around elevating school counseling supports that are necessary, and not optional, in schools. We've added social work supports, on site mental health clinics, and social emotional curriculums and more to so many of our schools.  It is true that our students have increasing needs than ever before and the need for additional supports will grow.  Yet, what could we be contributing to the sadness and stress others are feeling? Even inadvertently? I wonder what improvements we've ma...

June 7, 2018 I read the text message as it came across my phone today and could hardly believe it. A friend from my former district was reaching out to tell me about the passing of an incredible woman I used to know. I read the text to myself and took a deep breath. This week has already been a tough week personally and this is the drop that causes the bucket to overflow. I begin to hold back tears. It's the last straw for my heart. I feel selfish for even being stuck in the problems of this week. Those problems aren't real pain. Thinking of her saying goodbye to her family, her beloved daughter and husband --- that's pain. Real, actual, pain. I thought about this incredible woman and how she always made time for me when she saw me in my previous community. Our kids grew up together and were very close for some of that time. She treated my son like her child and made room for him with her family on a whim's notice. She and her husband were always so kind to him. ...

When I was a Middle School Principal, I met many substitute teachers. Whenever we were able to find one that could juggle a variety of placements, we held onto them -- tightly. Mr. James Smith was one of those substitutes. Not only was he one of the calmest spirits in a room, he knew anything and everything you would ever want to know about any animal on the planet. Everything .  At least once a year, he came into our school to teach during our Adirondack Day with many a reptile in tow. Of course, being the scaredy cat of snakes Principal I was, I stumbled through fearful words whenever I saw that pillowcase of his. I knew what was in there. And, he'd deal with my corny jokes about being afraid each and every time.  When I left the Principalship, I lost track of Mr. Smith. I recently discovered he was working for BOCES in the Special Education Department as a Teaching Assistant. That news made me smile upon first hearing it. Recently, we re-connected through social me...

At the end of the year, teachers will sometimes ask students to write letters to next year's kids. Our talented teacher mentor coordinator took a spin on that assignment and had our newer teachers write letters to the newest of teachers we will hire next year. There's such wisdom and optimism in each letter. Their words of advice are a positive way to end this year and to begin our next one.  I've chosen a few examples that I think we can all glean a lesson or two from....myself included. Be authentic, be kind, be different, be vulnerable. Your students will appreciate it and so will you. Sometimes it is hard to stay positive if you are surrounded by negative people so make sure to be around those who share your same ideals. Don't try to change yourself but instead dig deeper inside for more of who you are.  Teaching isn't just about what's on your curriculum map,  it's about identifying what your student...

It seemed a little silly to be sitting in the audiologist's booth at my age. She asked me about my hearing difficulties. I told her I had trouble hearing low tones in both ears and it has been something I've struggled with my whole life. She looked at me oddly as if I wasn't telling the truth. I explained it seemed to be more of a hindrance now. People appeared to be growing old of repeating themselves to me and I couldn't always catch every word those with lower voices were saying. Understanding voice mails is especially difficult. (Thank goodness for a patient secretary that will listen to them with me when needed.) I sat in the booth struggling to complete the task. At times, I even closed my eyes trying to concentrate and pick up parts of the sounds or words. For most of my life, I've made fun of my hearing loss. But in reality, it hasn't been all that funny. I know I am missing so much of what is being said. It can be hard to follow large conversation...