Reflections

Flowers From Dana : A True Story by Kenis Sweet, Math Teacher @ Granville Jr. Sr. High School I called my parents one day last fall to check in, as they are in their 80’s now. They are particularly curious about my teaching and my students. My mom taught Home Economics in my Jr. High school and then High School back when I was there; now it is Food And Consumer Science, or FACS. Mom was a very progressive teacher; she even started a day care center in our high school to enrich the Childhood Development class that she created. Mom was excited to tell me that the florist had arrived a few days earlier with a beautiful arrangement for her. The card was signed simply, “Thanks for everything, Dana.” My mom was baffled. Who was Dana? Later that day, Dana called and explained. Dana remembered my sister from our high school, and had tracked her down through social media, and asked how to contact our mom. The flowers were a thank you for helping a struggling kid almost four de...

What struck me about this post, written by an incredibly talented student, is the optimism that can be found in her words. These are stressful times for sure and for everyone. Yet, as Miss Tooley points out, times like this may help us to appreciate what we do have even more.  I am thankful for her permission to share her words here.  Online Schooling Written by Jenna Tooley, Student at Granville Junior Senior High School While online schooling is not ideal, learning to adapt to doing schoolwork from home has become a daily routine. The teachers and administration have been a tremendous support system with providing students with the materials they need and being available at almost any time if students have questions. Although online schooling is much different than actually being in school every day, being able to complete all the assigned work by the deadlines has not been too difficult. Several teachers have even set up google meets and google chats during the wee...

In the late 1970s, the Hasbro toy company released a new toy known as Stretch Armstrong. Stretch was a bendable (yes, stretchy) action figure filled with purple gel. You could pull Stretch's arms for what felt like as far as you wanted and he never broke. The only time I recall Stretch being "harmed" was when we might have poked him with scissors -- on purpose. (My brother and I had to know what was inside of him causing him to stretch so far and so well.) The last few weeks of "school" have felt a little like what I imagine being Stretch Armstrong would feel like. Educators, including administrators, are being pulled in so many directions at once and it's making it hard for us to find our original shape. This new way of operating has us trying to extend ourselves to figure out what direction needs us most.  Flip your leg over your head, through your arm, and around your neck? Sure! Now use your other leg to touch your ear. Got it!  The toy Stret...

Turns out I'm not that great at...closures. I miss the synergy, enthusiasm and even the complications that being in school brings. I miss brainstorming with teachers and our administrative team.  I miss joking with my Assistant Principal. (Talk about someone who deserves a medal for putting up with me every day.) Above all, I miss helping our students. In my private life, I miss not being able to sustain relationships that mean so much. I tried to console two very important people in my personal life today through text messages. No matter what I wrote, it fell short. I even tried humor. That failed too. A gif can only say so much. But, I keep trying --  with my flaws wide open.  I care about people. The range of interpretation from how much I care begins at cheesiness and ends at extreme nudgeness (new word, made it up). I think too much about too many things and have a hard time shutting off this old mind.   I remarked earlier this week that this clo...

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...