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.

Encouraging Words

It has been awhile since my last post but nothing groundbreaking has been happening. Life was continuing as normal and the school seemed to be moving along nicely. We hit a small stumbling block when a behavioural student was having a rough time and as part of the plan it is my job, along with others, to help get him back to a state where he can continue his day. On this day I dealt with the situations because that was the plan and I had the time that day to implement the steps we were taking. At the end of the day a couple of staff thanked me for implementing the plan and being present in the situation. Neither one had to say anything I was just doing my part on the team that day but it was encouraging. Their words meant that I was doing my job, fulfilling my role in the building. It was just nice to receive that feedback and know it was appreciated.

You Really Do Matter

I said I would reflect on my learning as a new principal but I had the opportunity to visit with a few staff and students from the school where I taught grade 4. What a feeling to be greeted by so many students all wanting to talk to you at the same time. It made me think why do they think I am so important? I struggle with the word important but you get the point. I think the bottom line isn't why bt the fact that they do and the importance that I perhaps had to them when I was there. What do I want to say... that teachers are important and very often we get caught up in the work and everything else that happens that isn't fun about our job and in the end students think that their classroom teacher is the best and that teachers do matter in the life and culture of the building. As an administrator remembering this little bit of information is important becaue it is also how I can add to the culture of our building and make it a safe and inviting place for students. In the end what do we want our building to be about .. and if it is fun, safe, and inviting learning can take place with more ease and excitement.

Communication

Over the past few days I have been spending a lot of time meeting with different staff dealing with issues arising in our school. At the end of it all I appreciate the communication that goes on. It makes it easier to work through difficult situations and helps staff work effectively to solve any problems that may be going on. If communication does not exist then we are left wondering what everyone else is thinking and mis-communication begins to show. My belief is that if we can all talk to each other without fear that we are being judged then everyone is included and valued in the processes that happen in our building. Do they get to make all the decisions, not necessarily but it makes my job easier when I understand what everyone else thinks as well.

Another Week Goes By

Another week has passed and if it was four days it didn't feel that way. Really it wasn't four days but three. A storm day and report writing made for a short contact week. There are always new challenges that come up and I think I am on top of things but something that I have felt before I started was the importance of working together. To do everything by myself isn't possible and why would I. I have an excellent team to work with, each with their own ideas and ways of doing things. We each bring our strengths and that is what makes things move smoothly each day. We have bumps in the road, the same as everyone else, but having a common belief in what our school is about really makes things work. This is only the second building I have worked in but have felt the same thing in both buildings. When everyone has the same belief, or is willing to work toward the same goals in a building, you are able to get a lot accomplished and people who come into our school feel it as well.

Random Thoughts at the End of a Busy Day

I attended our monthly administration meeting today and I found myself thinking of a few different things throughout the day. Remembering those thoughts at the end of the day was a task in itself.

What was my main thought? I am busy, but not overwhelmed yet. But I am excited because there is a shift in how schools function with a shift moving toward more collaboration and focus on teachers as learners. Maybe this is the best time for me to begin my time in administration. Although I have a ton of information coming to me everyday I can begin to think about leading with best practices in mind. It is a lot of work I must confess but I too am a learner and what better way to express the value of learning but to put myself in the seat of learner as well.
All of this change in education will take time but if we truly do have the interests of students in mind then I think that we too must be learners and continue to push ourselves.

Sitting in the room with other administrators I began to see why these individuals were there; the vast knowledge that they had and the commitment they had to effectively leading those that they work with.

How it started

So, what is this all about. A Day in the life of ... who? A day in the life of me as a school administrator. Since I began my new job I have often thought that I should start a blog to track my own learning and experiences. I could easily do this without telling anyone, but where is the accountability.

What do I hope to get out of this? A chance to reflect on my days and the different situations that I encounter. An opportunity to talk about what I am learning and maybe even where I want to go.

For now it is a starting place with limitless possibilities. We'll just take it as it comes. Feel free to comment and share your thoughts. Communication is the key.