This summer, I am beginning a new adventure and a new chapter in my career as I start at Buchanan Elementary. It’s ironic that for someone who values consistency and continuity like I do, I’ve had a lot of changes in my career. From different buildings and communities, each change has pushed me to grow as an educator and forced me out of my comfort zone. I’ve learned so many things from each staff that I’ve worked with, but the number one thing I’ve learned is that you don’t know anything, until you know your staff. Techniques that worked with one group may be completely ineffective with another. The things that motivate one teacher may be irrelevant to another teacher. One community may be vocal and visible and another may be silent and more elusive. The knowledge and experience gained from so many moves helps me to realize how little I know until I know them. As I shared in an early post, “Relationships aren’t transferable“. I’ve learned this the hard way by resting on my laurels from one building and thinking they would magically transfer to my new building and not putting in the necessary time. We build relationships by listening, being present, and most importantly, truly caring about others.
As I prepare for new adventures with a new building and school community, I thought it was the right time to start a new blog as well. I’m hoping the new format will make it easy for people to find and read the blog posts, help connect educators through the Compelled Tribe page of ed bloggers, and also provide links to podcasts and presentations that I have been privileged to participate in or facilitate. My goal is to have all the things I believe about education in one location for my staff, colleagues, or any educator to easily find. Educators grow when we connect with one another, I’m hopeful this new site will help me connect with other educators to help push my learning and expand my professional learning network. Together we are better!
Like all new adventures, this one if filled with excitement and unknowns. It’s natural to want to look back at the shore we are leaving and remember the good times and memories made there. However, I need to keep my focus forward and my eye on the horizon as I sail onward with a new crew and to new destinations. This blog will serve as my log of reflections, growth, successes and yes, failures too. I hope my reflections will help others as well and maybe provide the encouragement to try something new. After all, adventures are more fun when they are shared!
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” – John A. Shedd
“Life is an adventure, it’s not a package tour.” – Eckhart Tolle
“One must always maintain one’s connection to the past and yet ceaselessly pull away from it.” – Gaston Bachelard
Tuesday, August 22: Bounce Back to School Event at Riley 5:00-8:00 pm Wednesday, August 23: Building Tours 5:30 pm Thursday, August 24: Building Tours 10:00 am
Tuesday, August 28: District/Building PD Wednesday, August 30: District/Building PD Thursday, August 31: Teacher Work Day
The Spark of Learning 