Why teach? I don’t know what drew me to teaching, but I always knew I would be a teacher. Why, I am not sure. I was an average student, who worked hard. I didn’t necessarily like school. My teachers spanned
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What Am I Doing Here? Looking for Me.
I’m not going to lie to you; I don’t have an inspirational line about why I decided to be a teacher. I can’t say that I “always knew I wanted to be an educator,” or “teaching is just in my
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A New Year
August 2013 I have begun my second year as an elementary principal. Honestly last year was just blurry. So it should be different this year, right? Actually it is. As I prepared for the “first” staff meeting, the “first” parent meeting, the “first” day, I
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Bill Gates, Dead Squirrels, and Teacher Preparation Programs
Let’s be honest, how many people do you know who drop out of an elementary education program because it’s too rigorous? Personally, I don’t know any, but I do know quite a few who have dropped out of teaching because it’s too hard.
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The Last Day
Wow, today is the last day with kids. Where has the year gone? When I reflect back I know we have a long way to go, but we will achieve greatness. Some accomplishments that may go unnoticed as we pack up the
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How Will We Walk the Talk? Part Two
“We did not put our ideas together. We put our purposes together.” Adam Kahane, Solving Tough Problems John Prosser is there. A teacher leader involved in policy-making. He began as a middle school teacher in the Seattle Tacoma area, then
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Winding Down
The last time I looked at my calendar it was February. Where has the year gone? We are now fast approaching the end of the year. It didn’t hit me until this weekend, less than 15 days of school left.
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I Am Afraid of Babies
The word makes me shudder, cringe and cower. Unless it is preceeded by the phrase, “You’ve come a long way,” I don’t want to hear about babies. Or pregnancies. Shower? It better involve a spout, steam, and a whole lot
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Thankful for…
This time of the year, I think about things I am thankful for. As a principal, my list is a bit different than as a teacher. I am thankful for our custodial staff; who keep the building and grounds clean
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As I enter my rookie year as an elementary principal, I find myself going back to the song “For You.” by the Barenaked Ladies. The line that stands out, “If I hide myself wherever I go, I am ever really
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