Fresh Start
Just like the dawning of a new day
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| Sunrise, January 4th, 2019 Good Bye to Friday Flash - Hello.... well that remains to be discovered. Holy cow, the last time I created a post was coming back from Fall Break! Clearly, this platform has fizzled out for me. Rather than feel guilty about not doing it, I need a fresh idea. I need to do something new. Professional Obsessional Have you been thinking about what your Professional Obesessional? We will be devoting time for you to explore and work on that beginning January 23rd and every Wednesday after that. If you haven't thought about this - don't stress - there is time! I also want to be clear that the entire staff is invited, and encouraged to jump into this movement!!! Your Professional Obsessional is an opportunity for you to devote time to something you have always wanted to study, create and bring to life for yourself in your work. Because this will be meaningful to you, your discoveries will likely be inspirational for others and perhaps be a gift in the way that others can build on your work for themselves. We will share our personal discoveries on Wednesday, March13th - wherever we find ourselves in our process. I'm still nailing this down for myself, but here's what I'm thinking....
Forever I've wanted to bring to life a real purpose in sharing our mission, work and philosophies with our greater community. There are things I've wanted to say. Each year, I am disappointed in myself. I try writing blog posts, but they end up being flat, distant and full of educational ease. It's not the tone, nor the real message, I'm in quest of. I've been wondering why it isn't working.
First, if I'm honest - I'm afraid.
I'm afraid that I'll say something, or my perspective, will piss parents off. I'm afraid, my writing is sorely lacking. I'm afraid I'm not inspiring. I'm afraid I can't do it.
Second, I haven't found a method that is joyful for me. Writing 'Pondering's of a Principal' just isn't it. But what would 'it' be?
So, I've just justified to myself that I would do it, only there just isn't time. Truthfully, it's because I don't know what to do. I go for walks and all kinds of ideas of what I could share pop up for me. Then, when it gets time to act on those thoughts - I"m stuck. By the next day, the clarity has left me as well as the passion to do it.
So...I'm going to figure this out! I am going to be brave and say - in whatever form I find that I have passion for doing - what is in my heart, about our school and about being a parent.
I don't have a name for my Professional Obsessional...yet.
19 for 2019 Last year I shared with you the idea of creating an 18 for 2018 list. It's time for 19 for 2019. One thing I learned about this from doing it last year - some of us put things on the list we are really jazzed about doing - and would do anyway, so when we put them on the list we are likely to accomplish them. Sometimes we put 'wish' things on the list and work towards them. In any case, it is nothing like a resolution to stop doing something - rather, it is focused on doing more of what brings you joy. It might be for you - it might not.... Here's my list.....
1. 31 Days of Yoga Series (Should I tell you how many times I've started this....)
2. Learn how to support my grandkids to become skiers
3. Backpacking trip with Julie
4. Visit friends in North Dakota
5. Happiness Project course
6. Plan and execute 'Crew Camp' for my family
7. Create Trust/Will
8. Schedule in my calendar one day a month to work on photo books
9. Go the dentist
10. Go to the ear doctor
11. Learn to make an iMovie
12. Turn 3rd bedroom into a new space
13. Reconstruct the front porch
14. Monthly (scheduled) date night with friends
15. Go see my dad
16. Camping with Jim
17. Discover an inspiring (to me) way to build connections/relationships with school community
18. Schedule family dinner nights
19. Take guitar lessons
* Number 6 - Create Trust/Will - I bought the documents from Suzi Orman's website and we are in the thick of getting this done. Once you purchase the documents, you get a code. Suzi wants the world to be smart about their finances so she allows you to share the code with anyone. If you are interested, let me know and I'll share the code with you!
Setting Intentions Choosing a One Word Theme for the Year Gretchen Rubin encourages setting an intention for the year - and the power of our intentions. I've got a few written down, and I'm thinking..... Listen Curious 'Spot of Grace' Move
Now, as boring as the word 'Move' is, I think that might be my One Word Theme for the Year.
'Move' as a noun:
go in a specified direction or manner; change position
'Move' as a verb:
change or cause to change from one state, opinion, sphere, or activity to another
I need to let go of some of the ways I been working and living and be daring enough to move. I think the meaning of this word easily encompasses the need to be curious, to listen and look for that 'Spot of Grace' in others.
What might your Word be for this year? What's Inspired You Lately? Here's a few things that have crossed my path...
'Tidying up with Marie Kondo' on Netflix -
I also cued up her books at the library. You might have seen Marie on The Today Show? I heard about her from my daughter, Morgan, as Marie Kondo is Japanese! Marie proposes we keep only those things that spark joy - she also has a wealth of clever ideas for how to organize. I was impressed. I also expected her to be radical - purge everything - but not so. You'll find her presence very calming and enfolding. Check it out if you feel like you have areas of any of your personal spaces that you feel are weighing you down.
A friend gave me this book for Christmas - she knows I love Brene Brown! It was a transformational read for me. I look forward to implementing what I learned - so inspiring. Perhaps it would be a read that will boost how you see yourself as a leader in your classroom.
I bought this for myself - and it was the perfect book at the perfect time.
Lastly, I signed up for this course - a 12 month course for $12 a month:  Heinemann Podcast: Leading Well With Lucy Calkins And the next book I want to read!  What would you share with all of us that inspired or touched you over the break? What's up for Monday? Reconnect Paint rocks with a special word for Kenny and Janell to honor and acknowledge their presence, gifts, contributions and work, as they are our Apple Award representatives this year. You can paint your rocks anytime during the day - usually have to do this in shifts as you wait for paint to dry before you can move on to the next layer... Acknowledgement Circle at 3:00 p.m. when we will present our words and rocks to them. 3:30 - We will discuss the details of our Book Club (how we will read the book) and more information about our upcoming professional development. If you haven't thought about your Professional Obsessional - don't stress - plenty of time! Points of Pride The district was asking every school to send in a one paragraph 'Points of Pride' on their school. (Really, how do you do that in one paragraph!) So, I reached out to Kenny for his leadership on this. He is such a gifted writer. If you haven't seen his blog - check it out. Here is what Kenny wrote - it is gorgeous! Unfortunately, it didn't meet the requirement of one paragraph! So together, we gathered up some key parts and sent this in. Professional Development Schedule We will gather together, every week, for our Professional Development, to touch base and connect before we move into the work - whether that be working as a group or individually. Absolutely EVERYONE is invited to participate in our Professional Development this quarter. For classified friends - I'll find a way to award comp time or pay you. We will figure it out. This is important work to do ALL together. |
- Jan. 9:
- Book Share-Favorite books you use as a teacher and in your classroom & What’s going on in your classroom.
- Jan.16- D4/5, D6
- Begin " We Got This" book study (I know I need to order more books...)
- Jan. 18 (all day) Our Annual 'Flannel and Frost' Waffle breakfast!!!
- Job Alike day
- Book Club
- Expeditions
- Jan.23-D5
- Book Club
- Professional Obsessional work time begins!
- Jan. 30
- Feb.6
- Feb. 13
- Feb. 15 (all day)
- Feb. 20
- Feb. 27-
- March 6
- March 13: Sharing our Professional Obsessionals
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| The one and only time I got to ski - and I paid for it with a set back with the virus I continue to struggle with - but it was SO worth it!!! Hope you did something that brought you joy. |
Farewell Friday Flash!
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