Maximizing Our Time

 Maximizing Our Time

As educators, we are always looking for more time; more time to meet with small groups, more time for extensions and remediation, more time for RTI, more time for planning, and more time to run to the restroom. It is a gift that we seldom are blessed with, but are desperately need. What are some ways we find extra minutes in our day? What can you do to maximize your time throughout the day?

One, look at what you are doing. Are you a perfectionist that has to have everything done perfectly? Are you feeling overwhelmed and cannot prioritize tasks? Do you have a hard time asking for help? Look at your day and see where you spend the majority of your time. Spend time either Monday morning or Sunday night to look at your week; take a few minutes to organize the tasks you need to get done. Look to see if there are tasks that you and your team can work together to accomplish more efficiently. Find a weekly or daily planner that helps you see what has to be done, needs to be worked on, and can wait until later. By organizing your tasks, you can focus on what needs to be done first and save time worrying about getting it all done at once.

Is your team working as a team? Does everyone have their “job” done on time? How can being a more efficient team help your workload? Look at the procedures you have in place for your PLC; do they all ensure your team is working efficiently? If team members are not living up to their part of the pact, it needs to be addressed before it builds up animosity. It is important to be able to discuss concerns with your team, less stressful work environments make it easier to work.  A good rule of thumb is to document who is responsible for what task and what day it needs to be completed by.

An effective way to make your PLCs more focused and efficient is to incorporate protocols into the agenda. Look at your PLC agenda and see where you can maximize time with a protocol. There are protocols for all types of conversations from analyzing data to focusing on student work to observing one another teach; they are research-based and a tried and true way to keep your eye on the topic, get the information you are looking for, and utilize your time wisely. A great website for protocols is the SRI: School Reform Initiatives (https://www.schoolreforminitiative.org/protocols/). It has many protocols and explanations of how to use them.

And if push comes to shove and you are overwhelmed….take a break. Odds are you need to breathe, clear your mind, and regroup. It is important to not work yourself into a state that your mental health is not being taken care of. Most deadlines are able to be extended, if only asked; there is support for teachers who need it- from content support to classroom management support, if the support staff knows you are needing assistance. Ask for help when it is needed; we all need help periodically!

You got into this fantastic profession for a reason, do not allow the tasks and deadlines to burn you out of a career you were made for.

 

One for the Record Books

 

One for the Record Books

This year is going to be a record setting year! I am amped up for this year and I am confident that it will be one that sets the tone for the rest of our careers. We have worked so hard over the last year to take care of kids and ALL of their needs and we did a GREAT job, but this year- this year is going to be one of meeting kid’s needs, pushing the envelope, showing kids the potential they have, and one of academic/personal success. We are going to show kids the joy and fun in learning. We are not going to just survive- we are going to THRIVE!
2021-2022 is going to be a year that revitalizes our passion in what we do. This year we are going to plan field trips that WOW kids, lessons that engage the passion for learning that we know kids have, and conversations that allow kids to share the “ah-ha” moments that we all are looking for. I know we have so many ideas racing through our heads; we are ready to make these engaging learning experiences for our kids and I am not only ready, but also chomping at the bit to help and support you with all of these plans!
When planning this year, I challenge you to think about the opportunities you are offering to your students, all of your students. Think about Dr. Ellington’s words; do not let “the water we swim in” exclude anyone. Do not allow any preconceived notions you have put limits on kids. All kids can learn at high levels, we believe that- how are you going to support your students to live up to this? This is a question we will be using to help us this school year, in planning on your teams, learning as a staff, and coaching each other to strengthen our craft; everything we do is to be better for our kids, to meet their needs AND to push them to reach their potential and beyond.
Get excited, it is going to be a fast and furious year, it will be hard, but it is going to be an amazing year. I cannot wait to see what our kids achieve with your guidance.

...to say the least!

...to say the least! 

This year has been an odd one to say the least. From remote learning to weather to changing safety protocols, you have all handled everything thrown at you with grace. I am so proud to be the principal of such a hardworking, flexible staff.

I have been on a few meetings recently that have changed my thinking. I forget how truly blessed we are to be in such a great district, on such a great campus, and work with such great educators. In a recent Zoom where they virtually toured our building, I answered questions about how “I get the teachers to be collaborative,” I thought to myself- “that is who we are.” We do not have to spend time convincing each other that collaboration is a positive piece of learning; we are spending time figuring out how to incorporate collaboration with the limitations we were under this year. This is not the case all over; we still have colleagues in the district that are not helping students learn how to work with and through each other. We believe in this principle and are growing students who can work in a group, lead a team, share ideas respectfully; we are not just helping them be successful students, but we are helping them be successful people.

I know many of us are really looking forward to next year; Donae and I are already working on plans, but I want to remind everyone of all the wonderful experiences you created for students this year. We may not have gotten to do everything we wanted to this year; but talk to your students, ask them, was this a good year? What was your favorite thing we did this year? What is something new we did that you think we need to keep doing each year? Our kids had a great year, they learned, gaps were closed, interests were peaked…and why? Because of YOU! You all refused to allow limitations to affect our kids. You refused to allow students to not get the best education you could possibly give them. It has been a great year and we are going to finish strong!

You are amazing! Do not forget the impact you have on people’s lives every day- an impact that lasts a lifetime. This year was no different in that aspect- You made a difference!