We're going to be ok!

Today I was reminded of WHY I do this work. I was talking with some teachers about school reopening. There are so many unknowns and so many fears that we all are feeling- all warranted and valid. I am grateful that I work with educators who are willing to share their honest concerns and work together to do what is best for our students.

I am committed to creating a safe space for educators. I want them to remain passionate about their work, love their students, and to grow their practice. This is especially important as we continue to navigate the many unknowns of this pandemic. I truly believe that when educators are in a “safe place” to share their thinking and feel genuinely supported all of our children will get what they need. Educators have such amazing minds and sometimes the many demands of the work can get in the way. I am committed to working through these barriers with educators every day. I lead with my heart and will never stop doing that. This is a blessing and a curse, but in the end, I know that my honesty and love for all things teaching and learning will make a difference someday. We are in this together. We can never forget this. EVER. This is why we're going to be ok.

Below is a brief video I shared with our staff today at lunchtime (that was a part of an update newsletter). I hope it inspires others to do the same.

Be a Moment Maker!

There is a little boy in the classroom that is next to my office that has the brightest smile and gives the tightest hugs. He has the power to take my mind away from the intensity of the problems of the day and remind me of what matters most in my school- relationships.

A few weeks ago he asked to take his earned break with me and I was honored. He came into my office, we played with magnetic shapes and designed a house with a long driveway, and then he gave me a list of supplies to purchase for our next break together. He asked for balloons, straws, and tape (and possibly some glue). I had no idea what he wanted to make and he said he wanted to surprise me.

This past week I finally had all of the supplies and on Thursday he came to my office to create his masterpiece. I already had a “big kid” in my office, so the little boy took on the role of teaching both me and the “big kid” what to do. He instructed each of us to get two balloons and two straws. We helped one another one step at a time, and we ended up making a fidget tool that looks like the drawing below.

This little boy was filled with so much pride and excitement. He was jumping up and down- it seemed like he couldn’t believe it actually worked! Not only had he taught me how to make his creation, but he also taught a big kid (who was otherwise having a tough day).

I am so grateful that I had this experience. This is a moment of “unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meaning can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

I am committed to the very challenging work of being an educational leader and I will continue to prioritize moments like this with students (and staff).

#oneword2020

Five years ago I learned about the one-word initiative Jon Gordon wrote about in his book, "One Word that will Change Your Life" that encourages people to identify one word that will be their driving force for the year (instead of a list of resolutions that are often hard to accomplish/attain).

I selected the following words over the years: believe (2016), wonder (2017), trust (2018), and empower (2019).

I have always been a go-getter and a worker.  I decided to take 6 vacation days to enjoy winter break with my family this year and I have to admit that I don't like where my mind is going.  I am exhausted- actually I'm burnt out.  I have always loved education and I have been committed to students, teachers, and families that I serve, but this vacation I have been thinking about my future differently.  I'm not trying to be negative, but I am trying to be honest. I have been missing out on so much of my life because I have been working too much.  I should be able to work hard and still be present for my family and friends.  I don't want to miss any more of my children's basketball games or be cooking dinner at 8:00pm because I was working late.

I need to refocus in 2020 and that is why my #oneword2020 is see.  I hope that seeing will allow me to be more present for others and for myself.

Over the next few days, I encourage all of you to take some time to determine your one word for 2020.

In addition, I suggest looking at this #oneword365 website to connect with people around the globe and to get a list of suggested words or check out this great collection of #oneword2020 from @mjjohnson1216 !

Look for the signs!

Today I was in the cafeteria during third-grade lunch. I sat next to a little girl who I never really talked to before.  I couldn't help but notice that her school lunch looked pretty yummy- ...nachos with a side of black beans.  She was eating the black beans one by one and I wanted to know what else she liked.  I told her it reminded me of my Friday night dinners at my favorite Mexican Restaurant.  I asked her what kind of food she liked.  I did not expect the answer that she gave...and I am still in awe of this amazing little girl.

She was quick to respond that she didn't like a lot of food and then she told me why.  She said that she was a foster child at age 4 (she remembered it was October) and before she went into foster care all her mom gave her to eat was macaroni and cheese and hot dogs.  That is all she can ever remember eating. She was adopted a few years later by her foster mom.  She told me about the other children that live with her...their ages, whether they go to school, work or go to college and how much she likes driving 7 hours to their house in Maine in the summer.

This little girl was my sign today.  She reminded me of the power of relationships...the power of taking the time to sit down next to a student and giving them all of your attention and love.  She opened up to me and she was the gift and motivation I needed today.  She is the true definition of bravery.  I am so grateful to have connected with her today.

Take 5 Breathing- Please Take Care!

This is the time of year when routines and structures are usually starting to click in our classrooms and schools, but sometimes this isn't the case- sometimes it takes a very long time, depending on the classroom dynamics, the complexity of student needs, and so much more.  

How can we take care of ourselves (and our students) when things aren't going exactly as planned?

I recently revisited the book, "Happy Teachers Change the World" and I thought the strategy below might come in handy. 

"Taking 5":

~First, when you breathe, identify the in-breath as an in-breath, and the out-breath as an out-breath. When you use your mind to identify these breaths, there is no more thinking. Pay attention to your breath only, releasing everything else.

~Next, follow your in-breath and out-breaths all the way through, from beginning to end. By focusing our attention entirely on the breath, we cultivate concentration.

~”TAKE 5” mindful breaths every day before school begins to stop our bodies, calm our thoughts, and focus our minds.

~Reflection questions (optional): How do I feel right now? How is my breath (slow, fast?) How easy was it to keep my mind on my breath? How did this practice feel (strange, enjoyable, difficult, boring?)

~This practice can then be integrated into multiple learning activities throughout the day such as sports, assessment testing, etc.

In addition, here is a resource for from "Cult of Pedagogy" about self-care: https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/teacher-self-care/

Let's take care of one another! Our students will benefit in the long run, too!

Please share other resources and strategies below!

Creating an environment where it is hard to say goodbye!

How Lucky Am I to Have Something that Makes Saying Goodbye So Hard

This picture popped up in my Facebook memories this week. It is from two years ago when I left my "home" district that I had spent 12 years growing in. During my time there I served as a classroom teacher, grade leader, and school administrator. The relationships established over those 12 years are something that I will treasure forever. It was and is still so hard to say goodbye to what we shared together. I miss this community every day (probably because I put too much of my heart into my work, but I guess that's what makes me me)! I left my "home" to continue my professional growth and over the past two years I have set my sights high- serving as a building principal in a neighboring district and currently as the assistant director of elementary education in a district a bit farther from home.  I'm not 100% sure of where I'm going, but I come to work every day leading with heart and courage, and sometimes it's hard to know the impact of my work.

BUT- it's funny how things work out. I saw this memory on Facebook just before beginning my third day of professional development with some very dedicated educators in my new district on action planning for next year.  I decided to use this quote, to begin my work with the end in mind- I want to create an environment for educators (and students) where it is hard to say goodbye. Where we can be honest, vulnerable and trust of one another.  

I walked into Day 3 of action planning with this mission.  I took a group of educators into a room, shut the doors, and told them that today was a day about honesty.  We talked about collective teacher efficacy, articulating our why, and practiced how to use our WHY to create a school-wide mantra and prioritize goals that support our core beliefs.  

Here is the school-wide mantra the team created!

It was such a powerful day and it was one step taken to create an environment where it is hard to say goodbye. 

Below is a brief video describing the story of our day together. 

In addition, here is the slide deck referenced in the video if there are any resources you'd like to use to keep you strong and grounded, whether you're in a new position (like me) or not!

Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!

Please click here to play a brief voice recording introduction to this post!

I was asked to record myself reading one of my favorite books for a third grade class in our district.  I picked "Hooray for Diffendoofer Day" because it was a book I used to read to my third graders years ago right before the state testing window.  As I read the book, I realized that this book really embodies my vision for education- to have JOYFUL schools where teachers are empowered to design learning experiences that help students learn how to think! Our schools need leaders who cultivate a growth mindset culture where everyone is a learner!

Listen to "Hooray for Diffendoofer Day" (11 min.)

Do you have a book, poem or quote that embodies your beliefs about education? I challenge you to share it with your staff and also ask your staff members to share theirs with you.