Preparing for Tomorrow

You know that feeling; 5 years old the night before Christmas, and you can't sleep!  The "giddy" feeling of excitement and anticipation of the morning.  The excitement of walking down the stairs, seeing the glowing lights of the tree and glistening of the wrapping paper.  Finding your name on the tag and then guessing, what is inside?  Who is it from?  The unknown doesn't seem so scary at that moment.

Fast forward 35 years, a few degrees later, kids, and the same "giddy" feeling.  This time it's not Christmas in July, it's day 1 of a new contract.  The phone rang this morning at 3:30 (the joys of living with another service leader on call during the weekend) and I have been up ever since.  I can't get this excitement of tomorrow out of my head.  I wanted to go back to sleep but instead started working.  For many days, I tried very hard to disconnect.  Now, I cannot be connected enough!

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Finding the balance is a key topic I think and speak about often.  Physical, emotional, spiritual, and professional balance is a necessity in any profession.  Over the past several weeks, I have been mom.  I have turned off notifications and did not allow the "ding" to drive my day. I started walking and sitting quietly instead of constantly working. I continued reading professional books but because I wanted to, not because I had to write a paper for a class.  I needed to step away after surviving year 1 as a principal. I use the word survive because no matter how much I prepared and planned, a new learning opportunity would present itself.  Breathe....just reading that takes me back to the struggle.

Now, I am preparing for tomorrow.  The beginning of a new school year.  The opportunities are endless, and I have the privilege to lead my staff in continued professional and personal growth.  Tomorrow is about the team.  It's about those closest to me and working alongside them to prepare the best year for our teachers.  This is the most exciting time before the kiddos arrive. Ensuring all things are in place so when teachers arrive, they have everything they need.  Scheduling time to hold each other accountable, for continued growth, in our own leadership capacity. Hearing the different directions buildings are moving and reflecting on what my staff needs.  It's our own PLN in one room!  Giddy!

Tomorrow is not promised and we constantly talk about living in each moment.  My hope is that my teachers and colleagues have had time to work on their total well-being.  I would like to say that I made huge gains in the balancing act but it's a continued work in progress.  The critical thought moving forward is how do I maintain?

So tomorrow the future of limitless possibilities becomes a reality once again.  As I prepare for tomorrow the bigger question of how do I prepare my teachers sets in.  We have no clue what the future holds for our students but we do know what skills they need to be ready.  The "giddy" feelings keep flowing and the passion comes back to life.  Where are you in your professional career?  Do  you still get "giddy?"  Our kids deserve leaders and teachers who have that Christmas morning feeling, everyday when they walk in the door.


I have many different hashtags I am currently following to keep the passion flow moving forward.  Join me in these conversations as we begin another year of influencing tomorrow's leaders.

#tlap-Teach Like a Pirate-bringing creativity back into the classroom
#EdTech-current trends in blended learning and tech tools
#KidsDeserveIt-challenging conventional thinking and pushing boundaries.
#GoOpen- movement of open educational resources from around the world
#ObserveMe-teachers inviting colleagues in for authentic feedback-trust building

Don't forget that giddy feeling as you prepare for another year!
 
Just Love,
Kirsten

Longest Days

Update:  Post from April that I kept in draft...good reflection as I write today's post, preparing for tomorrow.

No one tells you the mental exhaustion that comes with leadership.  Literal exhaustion.  That is why it is extremely important to maintain balance. It's a daily struggle for many of us in our busy lives.  Family, faith, work, physical, emotional....all the balances that come with the day.  Then there are the little reminders that bring us perspective.

Troubles of the mind can play tricks on your physical being.  Then, the physical stresses you feel when putting in your 100% eventually catch up to you, no matter what your profession.  So where do you turn when you reach your point?  In education, we are all there right now.  Less than 40 days of school left, standardized testing, observations, end of year assessments, crisis behaviors, family gatherings; the list goes on and on.  So how are you keeping your balance?

I turn to music, daily devotionals, blogging, and most importantly quiet time with my family.  This weekend, I was sent several reminders to turn on the rational button and examine what's important.  The first, a conversation with a close friend.  No matter what ailments stress brings us, we must always remember someone else has a more troubling situation.  Even on your darkest day there is a praise.  Then, a song.  While spending time with the family we were enjoying the good tunes of John Mellencamp and Darius Ruker.  Then this song played and reminded me of the struggles dad endured with no complaining.

Longest Days Live at CMT Crossroads


For many of you, that will be a flashback from the 80s.  This was my first time hearing this song and it undoubtedly reminded me of many friends and family.  The fight is real when it comes to life.  Every day is a fresh start with new opportunities.  What  we make of it depends on our attitude.  Do we allow faith to guide us or do we fight peace and try to make the way our way?

This week, go out and be a change agent.  Many people around you are struggling with more than you will ever know.  Take time to listen.  Be a friend, a support, a ray of light for those that are in the dark.  Holy week provides many opportunities for self reflection and perspective.

How do you do that in leadership?

Model the change you wish to see in your team.  There are always excuses to turn to: put those aside.  Look at the heart of the problem and tackle it with a group of strong players.  Continue to empower those that are making the shift and trust their professionalism.  Allow them to lead others and give them the praise they deserve.  Reflect together and really listen.

Their longest days are sitting at the table.

We must treat each other with the tenderness and love that we deeply desire to feel.  We must turn that over to our students.  Every student is a different story with circumstances we may or may not know.  We must be the ray of light while they are with us.  It sounds good in writing but what does it look like?  What are you doing to be a difference in our world?  Simply saying I teach doesn't describe the impact and importance you are to a child.

I've had several long days this year.  You have had several long days....let's get the balance back and keep focus on His plan.

Just Love....