For the past several years, I have followed the lead of many great educators from across the nation and given up resolutions and instead used #OneWord to narrow my focus and guide my actions for the upcoming year. I’ve used words like Inspiration, Gratitude, and Kindness as my targets for each new year. While all of these words are powerful and something that I continue to strive toward, they all have one thing in common. In some way, shape, or form, I have been doing them or am very comfortable with them. They are part of who I try to be and feel natural. This year, I decided to pick a word that I am not good at and that does NOT come naturally to me. In fact, it’s something that I fail daily at and so has become my focus for 2018…Patience!
Those who know me best, know that I am not a patient person, especially with myself. I like things done quickly and efficiently and I’m terrible at waiting. I often set goals for myself and then struggle when I don’t achieve them as quickly as I would like. I want to fix problems at home and at school and not give the time to just listen and empower others to come up with solutions. I like to “walk and talk” and check things off my list at the end of the day. I constantly check my phone to see what new messages are there and try to respond immediately to every request, question, or comment. I have a hard time shutting down my brain after work, because I’m thinking of what needs to be done the following day. I could go on and on about my shortcomings, but I think you get the idea that patience is something that I truly struggle with.
Part of the problem with Patience is that I have often been rewarded for not having it! Moving a mile a minute, always being available, “fixing” issues, are the things that helped promote me from participant to facilitator, from teacher to principal, from MEMSPA member to Board Member. Unfortunately, the lack of patience ultimately ends up being self-defeating. Nothing is ever quick enough or good enough and the art of just listening and being present is pushed aside.
Not this year! In 2018, I will try to relax more, listen more, and let go more. Not everything needs to be fixed and I certainly don’t need to do all the fixing. Instead of “walking and talking” I want to tell people to come back and sit with me when we are both free so we can have an actual discussion. I want to power down my phone and empower my staff. I want to stop checking off lists and start checking in more with my family. I’m an optimist, but I’m also a realist. I know I will fail at this goal many times this year, but I will keep my focus on my word word and make sure to keep trying and show myself plenty of Patience!
“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” – Leo Tolstoy
“Patience is not simply the ability to wait – it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” – Joyce Meyer
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Monday, January 8: Celebrate Monday Assembly (Confidence) 9:05 AM, Battle of the Books Informational Meeting for Grades 3/4 immediately following the assembly.
- Tuesday, January 9: Achievement Team REED (Kaufman) 8:15 AM, DATA DIVE MEETINGS in the Conference Room to discuss Intervention Blocks & Progress Monitoring
- Wednesday, January 10: Elementary Principals Meeting 1:00-4:30 PM, PTA Board Meeting 2:30 PM in Conference Room
- Thursday, January 11: Staff Meeting at 8:05 AM with Cindy Scott & Phil Francis
- Friday, January 12: IRIPs go home with Progress Monitoring Updates
- Monday, January 15: No School for MLK Jr. Day!
- Tuesday, January 16: IEP for LJ (Trantham) 8:15 AM
- Thursday, January 18: Building PD 7:50-8:50 AM (bring your yellow card), Jon to ABC Negotiations at 1:30 PM
The Spark of Learning 