How are you…no really? I can finally say I am ‘May Tired’ in May. This year has provided challenges, circumstances beyond our control, and more changes than I thought possible, and that was only September. But now it is finally May. Many of us are back in school, at least part-time. We are rethinking our … Continue reading Wrestling with Rest While Wrapping Up the School Year.
What a calendar year it has been. Continue reading Measure the Gain Not The Gap: Finding Bright Spots in Dark Days.
As we were preparing for fall conferences I reflected on one of our most memorable parent-teacher conferences as a family. It was the fall of Isaiah’s 1st-grade year, this was back in the day where schools used color clip charts. Green was good, Yellow was a warning, Red was bad, and Black was really, really … Continue reading Finding The Orange
Our thoughts, words, and actions are powerful tools in building relationships, establishing trust and communicating messages in all aspects of our lives. When we use these well, it works. When we don’t, things can fall apart (including us). How we think about things really matters in how we communicate and it starts well before the … Continue reading Expect the Best. Reframing and Recalibrating Relationships.
My blog usually starts with “how are you?” but today I thought I would just show you how I was feeling this week: I started to feel ashamed early in the week: one of the student videos I recorded and loaded didn’t have sound. I was almost late getting Isaiah from soccer. My to do … Continue reading There is no room for shame in this season.
How are you doing? No, really? Answer that question like you mean it, not like you are answering it for the person you just ran into at the grocery store. It is August 2020 and if you are an educator, a parent, a caregiver, a daycare provider, an essential work, a human…this is a challenging … Continue reading Reprieve Not Retreat
Do you even want me to ask? I will anyway: How are you? No really? Can I be honest…I am worried. I am seeing my feed, and those close to me really struggling. Trying to juggle it all, with so much unknown is a challenge in this season. And it is summer, a time usually … Continue reading Grounding in Grace.
How are you holding up? Okay, now tell me the truth. Educators are recalibrating training for a marathon that just turned into an ironman. We planned for temporary distance learning and for many we just found out that we are now adjusting to finish this school year from our home offices on the kitchen table, … Continue reading Lead by Example: Self Care, Educators and COVID-19.
This date holds a lot of meaning for our family. On Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 we received an email at 2am from the Embassy in Ethiopia that we were cleared to adopt our son. After a very long and difficult journey I had 3 days to buy supplies, pack bags, and fly to Africa by … Continue reading The Personal Side of the Principalship.
A busy week, a crazy schedule, overwhelmed and overworked. With that state of mind any minor ask from others can become a major irritation for me. My heart rate increases while my patiences decreases. My facial reaction is no longer a game face, but one of frustration or irritation. And worst off…..my response to a request tends to not represent my best-self, but one of frustration and anxiety. Continue reading Your State of Mind Matters as Much as the Words You Speak: Learning to Self-Regulate Before You Communicate.
Principal in Balance: Learning to Lead in Work and Life 