Who knew that there was still so much to plan, create, and do 3 weeks before school starts, even before teachers enter the building? As a teacher, I knew how much I had to get done, so I started early, got my classroom together, and prepped my lessons, so I could help my colleagues as they came in ready to try and fit everything in the week before students start, amidst meetings and trainings, and open houses. Not once did I think about all of the work that goes into preparing those staff meetings, or getting teacher materials ready, or planning the Open House activities. Not once did I imagine that there would be so many last minute mandates and adjustments to schedules and decisions out of the school's control.
Who knew?
Who knew that a principal could feel the same amount of nerves and stress for the first day back for teachers that teachers feel for students' first day back? Is the agenda right? Will they like the activities? What about breakfast? You want to take how many people for training in what?!?! This is our first meeting together as a staff!
Who knew?
Who knew the amount of work the support staff puts in just to make sure all of the clerical things are ready for when teachers and students come back? Copies? Made. Folders? Stuffed. Schedules? Printed. Keys? Ready. Supplies? Ordered. Mailboxes? Relabeled and alphabetized. Phones? Answered. Students? Registered. Buses Schedules? Attached to Class Schedules and ready for student pick up. and the list goes on and on.
Who knew?
Who knew that adults are just as guilty of the copy and paste mentality as students? How should we plan this? Here's last year's, just change the dates and times. Expediency over innovation breeds frustration, at least that's what I've learned in the past few days. Also, delegation of copied and pasted plans creates a series of last-minute reviews, rehashing, rewriting, and time wasting; so much for expediency. Can anyone guess that I'm all about changing things up? Oops! That's not a who knew though because anyone know knows me already knows that...lol
Who knew?
Who knew how much life gets breathed back into a building just by the arrival of teachers? The school is a very empty and lonely place before everyone comes back. The hustle and bustle of hallway chatter, quick-fire requests, and shuffling furniture are a welcomed change to listening to yourself turn the page of the next memo you're writing because there are no other sounds around. I have been in my school for an entire week already, and today was the first day I really just wanted to get out of my office and walk the halls; teachers, you are appreciated, and you were missed! Yes, even those of you who bounced out ASAP, room still undone on the eve of Orientation and Open House while others stayed to make sure every poster ever created was carefully glued to the walls.
Who knew?
Who knew that the anticipation of having students in the building could be just as exciting today, without a classroom of my own, as it was my first year of teaching 8 years ago? Students give me a reason to do what I do; they're the impetus of the conversations I have with teachers. The possibility of making one minor, positive difference in their lives gives me the energy to keep going. Yes, there will be struggles, especially with trying to learn this whole new perspective this year, and Yes, there will be frustrations when I see things that I would've done so much differently, but there's nowhere else I'd rather be and nothing else I'd rather do.
Who knew?
Who knew that there are so many things in education that even those of us in education take for granted? I'm so looking forward to taking notice of all of those things that make a difference and yet often go unseen and unappreciated. I'm looking forward to a great 2013-2014 School Year!!
Who knew?
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I welcome all comments...feel free to disagree. As this blog is related to my profession, however, I do request that your comments be respectful and appropriate. Thank you, Bobbie.