The last leg of the SLA journey...

Although the journey never ends, the final week of our SLA journey ended last week in Ocracoke.  It was a bitter-sweet end to the internship (sad because I will miss seeing everyone each week and happy because... well, I think that is self-explanatory!). I was honored with the task of sharing the final message with cohort 3.  That, in itself, was a very difficult task.  

Blessed to have had this amazing, wise woman by my side the entire way!

I received my AP pin during our week in Ocracoke.

End of Year Video

TRUE COLORS - ELISE MIDDLE SCHOOL 2013-14

Rerouting the Journey

Tonight, I stepped forward, and I chose growth!  I am thrilled that my journey into administration will continue next school year as an assistant principal.  I am elated for the chance to continue touching lives and making a difference for children. 

West Middle School, March 2014

Bus Duty, Elise Middle - January 2014

Interns in Wonderland...

Quotes  from Alice in Wonderland follow the journey through our internship. 

For those who have been on this journey, any human similarity to characters from the book are purely coincidental! 

“Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle...” 

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" asked Alice. "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.  “If you don't know where you are going any road can take you there. Only a few find the way, some don't recognize it when they do - some... don't ever want to.” 

“If you drink much from a bottle marked 'poison' it is certain to disagree with you sooner or later."

“Either it brings tears to their eyes, or else -"
"Or else what?" said Alice, for the Knight had made a sudden pause.
"Or else it doesn't, you know.”

“It is better to be feared than loved.” 

"Off with her head."

“You're thinking about something, and it makes you forget to talk.” 

“I wish I hadn't cried so much!” said Alice. "I shall be punished for it now, I suppose, by being drowned in my own tears!” 

“Is this impossible? asked Alice. The Mad hatter replied, "Only if you believe it is.”  "There's no use trying," she said, "one can't believe impossible things."
"I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

“I wonder if I've been changed in the night. Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!” 

“How puzzling all these changes are! I'm never sure what I'm going to be, from one minute to another.” 

“It's no use going back to yesterday because I was a different person then.” 

...the journey continues...

MCS Interns - SLA Presentation to the Board of Education

10 Tips to Create Great Readers | Scholastic.com

10 Tips to Create Great Readers | Scholastic.com

Final Reflections of Switch Month - my letter to the staff

click here to view my final reflections

My Latest Online Message Board to the Staff at West

Whatever It Takes

Week Three at West and More...

I have begun week 3 at West Middle, and I feel like I have been there much longer!  Although their mascot is a wolverine (which lives a solitary life), the staff has welcomed me into their family.  I am blessed to have another hands-on, active leadership experience.  

I have included a link to a weekly online reflection I am sending to the staff at West.  I found this website (smore) and online weekly memos seem more interesting this way! Whatever It Takes - Week of February 17-21

And, I can't finish without including a picture I took of my five year old's first note he has ever written on his own.  God bless early learning educators.  My hats off to you all because you must have "patience super-powers!" I am so proud of my Day; he has grown so much this year.

Translation: I like you and you mom dad and family.

Until next time...

Switch It, Change It... and Run Away From It!

So, today began "SWITCH MONTH" for me.  My next five weeks will be spent at West Middle School in Montgomery County.  Yesterday, we took a family Sunday drive to the school to make sure I allotted enough time for driving.  What a surprise I got when I saw my name in lights... well, not actually lights.  But, in big letters - welcoming me to West!

My first "change" of the day came when I left the house a little after 6AM with my boys still in bed.  The drive was nice and quiet... and dark.  The sun wasn't even up when I pulled into the parking lot.  I have a feeling my behind will be hitting the pillow earlier these next five weeks!

The school is great, and the faculty is so welcoming.  I was introduced on the morning news broadcast, but many could not understand me because of my accent!  HAHAHAHA!  I got really excited when I recognized a student who was getting off the bus.  He was from New Century and moved here over the summer.  He came over and gave me a big hug which put a bigger smile on my face!

And then... I walked up on a student hovered over a garbage can in the middle of the hallway covered in puke and trails of it down the hallway.  He looked up at me with big helpless eyes.  I took one look at him and left him there... escaping down another hallway  - gagging, eyes watering, trying to block out his sounds.  Poor fella, and I couldn't even help him.  That was fun...

So, why the switch?  Well, it is a transition... putting us in a different school in a different county and made to pick up right where the other intern left off.  It is a chance to really put what we have learned to work.  

So far, so good... just as long as they aren't hanging over a trashcan!

The "Rockstars" of Education!

Our cohort attended DuFour's PLC conference in Charlotte this past fall.  We were able to grab a picture with Becky and Rick DuFour before leaving.  He shared with us that administration was the best job he ever had.

The "A" Team

Dr. DJ and the A-Team

me, Clarkie Hussey, Dr. DJ, Shaun Krencicki, & Julia Brown

MCS principal interns

The Glass Is Half-Full

7 months down, 5 months to go... Where has the time gone.

It seems like I was just receiving my books or heading to Cullowhee or beginning my internship at Elise.  Now, I am heading into my mid-year conference with the superintendent.  And, it's been an amazing journey (hence the optimistic title)!

And, just when we think we have it down to a science, they throw us a curve ball and switch us to another school system for five weeks!  On the up side, I am looking forward to working with another leadership style and another system with different initiatives.  On the down side, I am going to miss the staff and students and the fact that I won't immediately know my role at my switch school.  

Highlights of the First Semester

~establishing positive relationships with the students and staff at Elise
~working with MCS leadership on the strategic plan
~remembering my roots as a teacher as decisions are made
~winning the sack race with an 8th grader at Fun Day... I couldn't breathe when it was over, but dog gone it, we won!

Difficult Things To Do To Be Successful

http://www.businessinsider.com/hard-things-you-need-to-do-to-be-successful-2014-1
Great read!

Elise Middle First Semester

http://www.flickr.com/photos/114514087@N03/