Sunday, November 1, 2015
Sunday, June 7, 2015
We're Doing What We Do Best
I admit that I have neglected this blog for some time now. Time weaves from minutes to hours to days to weeks... until you sit back and realize months have passed. The world keeps moving, spinning, and so does our work...
Over the past week, our school district - our community - has been thrown into a torrent of intrigue, uncertainty, and change. Yet, the ones in the trenches - teachers, administrators, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, office and support staff at each school - have continued spinning on our axes for our children. I am a proud administrator at West Pine Middle School and have spent the better part of each evening, after my own children are tucked in bed, reading and catching up on the posts regarding the fate of our school system.
One post struck me in particular, and I feel compelled to share with you all. The post, I reference, questioned why some schools did not post a picture of their staff wearing black in support of Dr. Bob. WPMS was one of those schools in question. I can tell you that the overwhelming majority of our school was decorated in mourning attire, but a photo op did not occur... not because we didn't want to (or couldn't - as some may want to believe) but because we were busy doing what we do best: meeting the needs of our students. I am proud of WPMS and all we have achieved this year. This is not a final list but one that will showcase what our teachers and coaches do on a daily basis for our students.
- 9 Young Authors district winners and 1 state winner
- 74 students went to state band contest and received a rating of Superior
- 4 out of 4 superior ratings at Choral Competition Festival
- 4 out of 6 debate teams placed in competition (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th)
- 5 undefeated teams in sports this year
- 71 students with perfect attendance
- 65 students take online high school courses
- 331 Beta Club students
- 11 global travelers spent spring break in Ecuador and learned to be better global citizens
- 127 8th graders earned distinguished or honor roll this year
- 131 7th graders earned distinguished or honor roll this year
- 167 6th graders earned distinguished or honor roll this year
- 18 Science Olympiad students attended state competition after taking 3rd place in the region
- 42 students qualified for DUKE TIPS program
Kudos to ALL teachers and staff working tirelessly day in and day out, at school and at home, weekdays and weekends to ensure our children are successful and prepared for the next grade, next school, next step in life. My hope is that the amount of energy that has been exhibited for Dr. Bob will grow in other areas for the sake of our children.
...and so it continues...
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
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.
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Blessed to have had this amazing, wise woman by my side the entire way! |
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I received my AP pin during our week in Ocracoke. |
Monday, June 2, 2014
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.
Saturday, March 29, 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...
Monday, March 17, 2014
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
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...
Monday, February 3, 2014
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!
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!
Saturday, January 25, 2014
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.
Monday, January 20, 2014
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
~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!
Sunday, January 19, 2014
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