Inside the Trenches of the Principal: Week 23 (last week before break!)
Not going to lie. I was secretly dreading this past week going into it. I knew how tired my teachers were and how excited everyone was for winter break. The potential for craziness was high. It was anything but though. We had a fantastic week, filled with food, a lot of food, no seriously, everyday had an enormous amount of food (maybe that’s why everyone was happy?). I really enjoyed seeing my teachers do many creative lessons and activities. It was a fun final week of 2017 with my students and staff and we got to end it with a fun Polar Express Pajama Day!
As the calendar year comes to an end, I can look back and say that 2017 was quite a year! Writing a second book, transitioning into the principal role, and having my son start kindergarten has made it a memorable one for sure. I’ve enjoyed writing this blog each week, not only as a way to share this journey with others, but to reflect on this job and hopefully see growth along the way.
I had my mid-year evaluation with my boss on Thursday and she asked me “What my long-term goals were for here at Moore.” I told her that I wanted to make sure I had the right people here. I want people to be here because they want to be, and they believe in what we’re doing. I truly believe that you need to be happy where you work. Personally, I spend more time at school than I do at home most weeks, so I can’t imagine going to a place where I was miserable each day.
So I have to ask myself, what makes me happy here at work? It makes me happy getting handshakes and hugs each morning at the car rider line. It makes me happy dressing up in ridiculous clothes and having the kids and adults smile and laugh. It makes me happy having a leadership team who supports the mission and vision of the school. It makes me happy having teachers who are pushing themselves more than ever before and trying innovative and engaging ideas. It makes me happy learning sign language and learning about the deaf community. It makes me happy getting to bring my teachers to the Ron Clark Academy and Get Your Teach On. It makes me happy working for a district that lets me try new things. And it makes me happy having fellow principals who I have been able to learn with and from.
There’s not a day that goes by that doesn’t have some tough moment – a kid misbehaving, a parent or teacher upset, a deadline for paperwork. But I have chosen to highlight the things that make me happy at the end of each day. I think that has helped make this job so much fun.
It’s time to wrap up 2017. I’m excited to spend time with my kids, see my parents for Christmas, and maybe even be lazy for a few minutes. I’m looking forward to ringing in the new year here at Moore with a blow out party and lots of surprises on January 3rd!
Happy holidays and happy new year to everyone!
