Feedback from Staff

Since it is my first year as an administrator it was time for my evaluation and after staff filling in and returning their information to our superintendent it was time for us to meet and I 'll be honest I was a little nervous. I know that there are things that I feel I am doing well, but that is the easy part. Was I prepared for what could use improving. My staff was insightful and put down meaningful information for me. I did sit down one to one with one of the staff after meeting with the superintendent because there was a lot written. But it was a great conversation and I appreciated her feedback. It was the ability to have a conversation and not feel threatened by what she had to say. And for her I hope it felt like a safe environment to discuss what she thought were areas of improvement. In the end to me it was about the feedback. If I am supposed to give feedback to my staff and ask them to give feedback to their students I think that feedback for me is equally important and hopefully shows that what I would like my staff to do I also do and am open to receiving.

Conversations with Staff

I know it seems like a long time between posts but today I felt I needed to add something now. I had a couple of conversations with staff this morning and really appreciated the professionalism within the building. I was able to have those little conversations that for me always feel awkward and my first response is to avoid them. And they went well. They were minor things but there was dialogue and openness which is so important. Knowing that I can approach them or they can approach me makes my job easier and I owe it to there willingness to talk.

Moving Along

Well, it has been too long since I posted anything and thought if I want to be accountable for my learning then I better follow through. I am officially a year into my job and enjoying every day. There have been many challenges and a lot of learning along the way but it has really made me think about education, where it is going, and how I see Rosenfeld School moving forward. This job has pushed me to be more attentive to people and how I interact with them. Mainly though I see how important my staff is and all the work that they do. Does it always go smoothly? No but that is what makes me think about what I want to do and what my response may be. And as I read somewhere if everyone is happy and things are going smoothly then are we really trying to change things or just continuing on? I prefer to think that we are moving forward and I may be getting the hang of things around here

A Pleasant Conversation

So we just finished our parent teacher interviews and all went well. I had the opportunity to sit in on a few interviews and a chance to meet more parents as I walked around the school. I sat down with one family who was kind enough to say that they thought I was doing a great job. They apreciated how I always had time to talk and to answer any questions that they had. She also mentioned that her children really felt welcomed when they came late last year. I enjoyed knowing that what I was doing made a difference for them. It never felt like much but it was and in the end that is what matters, I have managed to continue the climate that everyone can feel safe and included in our school and community.

I'm Back

So it has been a long time since I wrote anything but having the blog has kept me accountable again. The start of the year is really underway. Might even say where has the time gone. It has been another period of learning and figuring things out as I go. When January comes then I guess I should know everything right. Some days have been challenging to say the least, but I think I am finding my way. The learning continues and it is always helpful to have other staff to help me in the building but also other admin to ask questions to. This job pushes me to out of my comfort zone some days but isn't that when I will learn the most. And it has been a learning curve.
So I must say that I am enjoying what I do, am thankful for the staff in our building, and wonder (dread?) what new experiences lie ahead.

CAP Conference in Winnipeg

I spent a couple of days in Winnipeg attending the CAP conference. This was the first conference of this type for me and although there were some sessions that didn't do much for me there was a lot of good sessions that I enjoyed. One thing that I have thought of since the weekend was the question "What is your dream?" I think this is a good question to have in your building for all staff. This is the idea that we all must work together. The principal doesn't have to have all control. Shouldn't there be a vision for the school and I think it is important that staff are involved. I also enjoyed the idea of having a growth mindset; that everyone can learn and change with experience and opportunities. These are only a couple of things that happened Thursday and Friday but ones that I will hopefully think of often as I move forward day by day.

Another Week Gone By

It is true. Five more days have passed and what has that meant for me. Mainly a lot of learning continues. Things are starting to happen for next year already and a new wave of learning is here. I ask a lot of questions to various people in my division and often wonder am I asking questions I should know the answer to. Maybe... but I don't, and people have been very helpful. I fond myself asking the same few people and that is partly to do with the position they are in but also they are people that I respect and over the years have watched how they did things and appreciate the style and rapport they have with others. I only hope that over time I too am one that others can say was an influence on them and what they did. Lofty goal perhaps, but for now I just keep on learning as I go.