In the last two days, I've read two different pieces on the value and use of vacation or downtime. The first, "Summertime Listening for Leaders" (http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/leadership_360/2013/06/summertime_listening_for_leaders.html), discusses how educational leaders can use the summer months to their advantage. The second, "Vacation days" (http://discoversantosha.com/2013/06/26/vacation-days/), is a more circumspect look at surrendering to slowing down. In the spirit of full disclosure, I will admit that the second piece was written by my sister Jill, who is a wellness coach/trainer.
Both pieces helped me reflect on how I am using my time this summer. Ironically, I type this as I am sitting in the Instructional Coaches "office" (for those of you who have seen it, you know why I can only loosely use that term) working on a couple of projects. But coming in this afternoon was my choice. Frankly, I spent the morning in my pajamas, in bed, reading the scotusblog and texting with my friend Karen as the Supreme Court handed down two important decisions on equality. Making my own schedule today was refreshing.
I was originally scheduled to be in Ann Arbor June 27-30 to attend some really cool professional learning. But after having been gone from home almost two weeks already this month, I decided to decline and give someone else the opportunity to attend. Being at home with my kids and hanging out with friends is definitely a way to recharge my inner self. While I do love to do professional learning in the summer, I realized that I needed to step back right now for myself.
So, what will you do this summer to reflect, refresh, and recharge?
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
"The answer is in the room"
The last four months as an Instructional Coach have produced more "a-ha" moments than I can count. Whenever one occurs (as it did late last night), it is usually because of the simplistic brilliance of someone I work with.
In a meeting yesterday, our Director of Instructional Services made the statement, "the answer is in the room." This was the second time I heard it from her -- I believe the first was in a comment to an earlier blog post about common assessments. In any case, like many things, you have to hear it multiple times before the "a-ha" hits you. Even though she said it in late afternoon evening, it did not really strike me until hours later.
As educators, we struggle with many weighty issues because we care so deeply about kids. At times, we even feel like Sisyphus, rolling the rock to the top of the mountain over and over again, only to have it roll back down to its original starting point. Over time, it can make one feel helpless and even hopeless.
But here's the good news. The answer is in the room. When we sit down together and collaborate on issues, we need to remember that we are the experts. We're professionals. The answer is in the room. Sometimes one person in the room has the answer, but more often than not, each person in the room has a piece of the answer, and it just takes collaboration to pull it all together.
The answer is in the room.
In a meeting yesterday, our Director of Instructional Services made the statement, "the answer is in the room." This was the second time I heard it from her -- I believe the first was in a comment to an earlier blog post about common assessments. In any case, like many things, you have to hear it multiple times before the "a-ha" hits you. Even though she said it in late afternoon evening, it did not really strike me until hours later.
As educators, we struggle with many weighty issues because we care so deeply about kids. At times, we even feel like Sisyphus, rolling the rock to the top of the mountain over and over again, only to have it roll back down to its original starting point. Over time, it can make one feel helpless and even hopeless.
But here's the good news. The answer is in the room. When we sit down together and collaborate on issues, we need to remember that we are the experts. We're professionals. The answer is in the room. Sometimes one person in the room has the answer, but more often than not, each person in the room has a piece of the answer, and it just takes collaboration to pull it all together.
The answer is in the room.
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