Reflections

Does it matter what age you are? Don't we all need someone who believes in us? I spend a lot of time trying to remind my teachers that I believe in them so that they can remember to believe in their students. It's grueling work for them.  I know they give so much, over and over. I worry my words aren't always enough for so many of them. I counsel high school students whose disguised vernacular sometimes gets them misunderstood. I remind them I believe in them after their mistakes while still trying to stick to some structure that is needed. It's supposed to be inspiring work and it usually is. But sometimes, it's draining. I feel it and I know my teachers and staff feel it. But, those of us determined to help, rebound in one way or another and show back up to try again. I have so many people like that on my team. They get me and I get them. We have this silent way of supporting all of our efforts. It's what keeps me going on so many days. Some of my best t...

I find this time of year to be overwhelming. In all of my years, I've never been able to coordinate the "perfect" holiday season we see in the movies or we think we see in other families and groups. It's overwhelming for me. I overthink every present so much so that I end up waiting until the last minute to actually decide on one. I never have enough to do what I want to do for everyone and meet the grandiose ideas in my imagination.  That includes the people I work with each and every day. I am so thankful for the kindness, humor, and compassion I see on a daily basis. Someone falls in our group, another person lifts them up. All this week, an anonymous, kind person has gone out of her way to play "Elf on the Shelf" in my office. I marvel at the sweetness of this gesture and the planning. I take comfort in the fact that someone in my building thought me worthy enough of this fun. That feeling of being noticed and cared for is what I want to be sure I sh...

I was recently asked this question in relation to my new role as Principal (in a new-to-me district). I quickly rattled off some of the tougher items I've been working on over the last week or two but that punch list didn't really answer the question. I caught myself in reply and thought about the question again. I have lists upon lists and still miss a deadline or email. I still get angry phone calls once in awhile and I overlook replying to important emails every now and then. I make mistakes every day. I sometimes let opportunities pass by to remind my colleagues how much I appreciate their work.  I deal with hard decisions. My incredibly patient secretary will tell you I've misplaced a folder or two. I haven't even launched everything I had hoped I would have completed by now. I still have so many names and stories of students to learn. I am exhausted, at times overwhelmed, not sleeping all that great, and behind on teacher observation paperwork. And yes, on a co...

They really have no reason to believe me. I've been told that I am the sixth principal in a long line of people to hold the position over the last ten years. I'm following a very respected interim principal as well. They were fortunate to have the consistency he brought to the building for two solid years. And now they have to start over... with me . Some might see that as asking a lot of them. What about me, my role or even my experience will make me worthy of their support? How will we come together as a group and do what's best for our students? Hopefully, one step at a time. Hopefully, one celebration at a time. Hopefully, one recovery from setback or failure at a time. Step by step and piece by piece. You could say that I am asking them to form this new relationship (with me) much in the same way they will be forming new working relationships with students. Our students will start all over with them too this year. "My" teachers will have to earn...

He is not going to be happy with me. He'll think I've gone overboard in trying to put thoughts to "paper" about how I feel about all of this. Just a few short days ago, a mentor to hundreds taught his last SDL admin course. Dr. Brooks taught his last course? That doesn't even seem permissible or plausible. Mention his name to a group of educators in our region and you'll always find  at least  one person who has such fondness and memories of learning from him. That's a legacy -- a legacy that walks in the minds, hearts and steps of so many administrators trying to do their very best in the roles they once only imagined having the privilege of serving in. And when any of us have found ourselves on the losing side of a metaphorical boxing match, he's the first call most of us make. He tells us to suit back up and get back in there. He reminds us to be lions. He steadies our vision and gets it back on track to what's most important -- our st...

I was at a wonderful event last night celebrating students. One student was chosen to give an address to the crowd. In her speech, she talked about being okay with failure. She saw failure as giving her classmates more ways to learn and to improve. We've heard and even said similar sayings before. "There is no such thing as failure, only learning experiences." "FAIL - First Attempt In Learning" "Fall seven times, stand up eight." I sat there wondering when I stopped remembering that. Things aren't supposed to always go as planned or as perfectly as we hoped. We won't always hit the mark no matter how hard we try. Sometimes it's beyond our control. That's one of the things we'd do well to remind ourselves of more often.  Much more often... You're Only Human - Billy Joel "You're allowed to make your share of mistakes You better believe there will be times in your life When you...

She'd convinced herself that I was the enemy. Seemed so logical to her that the anger she was feeling was because of my actions and not her inaction. I didn’t predict the path that pain would take her during the months ahead. I'd heard over and over, that hurt people hurt people but somehow my heart didn't make that connection with my brain soon enough. I regret not realizing that. I gathered the whispers of what was being said and struggled with understanding where it all went wrong. Of course, today, I can see explicitly how the message got tangled. Who weaved it. I couldn’t see it then but I see it now.  I can see where I made my own mistakes as well. That’s the unforgiving burn of hindsight. The conflict likely began in a conversation about “those kids”. The ones that can turn a building inside out. For most of my career, I’ve tried to advocate for equity when it comes to special needs students. Yet, experience has taught me that the need extend...