"You're Amazing, Just the Way You Are!"

It seems like this month has been nonstop activities at school.  Perhaps that's your schedule each month, but I'm exhausted! I did manage to get a workout in yesterday as I ran some laps with our children.  During the run, music played and one of the songs was, "You're Amazing, Just the Way You Are".  Surely that song was about our kids!  I watched the students running laps, bubbling with enthusiasm and energy, laughing and encouraging their friends.  I observed some stop to help another student who stumbled and they asked, "Are you o.k.?"  What I observed was 100% genuine...nothing artificial!  This same level of enthusiasm, concern, and encouragement happens everyday in settings throughout our campus.  Educators and parents look for opportunities to motivate our children to achieve and succeed.  Let us not forget the importance of quietly observing the wonders of our children.  Whatever goals and aspirations we have for them, they also need to be told, "You're amazing...just the way you are."

Small Moments

Today as I wandered through one of our classrooms, I talked with the students about the stories they were writing.  One young man was eager to read me a part of his story, so I commented on his illustration and then asked him to tell me about it.  "We were supposed to write about a special time, so I'm writing about the play date I had with my friend."  I asked him if they had done something special and he replied, "Everything I do with  my friend is special, even when we're not tryin'."

Small moments like this are why I love my job...I am surrounded by my own personal motivators and inspriational speakers.  Our children naturally demonstrate what makes life worth celebrating...even when they're not tryin'. 

Ready to Rock Another Year!!

Wow, summer is sill oppressively present, but we're quickly getting ready for a new school year!  I love being in education because it seems to be one of the few professions that allows you to complete a year, step back, reflect, and then begin again with new ideas and the desire to create even better outcomes for our children. 

Our classrooms are just now starting to show signs of life and furniture is being moved into place after summer cleaning.  Teachers are dropping by to discuss their summer adventures and then begin the task of unpacking boxes and putting things back in order.

We have countless responsibilities to accomplish in the next couple of weeks before the children return.  The days get crazy busy with meetings, final hirings, classroom placement of students, professional learning for the staff, and creating classrooms that have lots of "wow factor" for our students.  This year, like every year, will bring numerous challenges, lots of change, and countless rewarding experiences.

We'll be ready for the 1st day, but you'll probably see lights on in classrooms way after midnight the night before! 

Winding Down and Gearing Up

We reached the end of another successful year!  Our campus is still brimming with activity associated with summer school and some individual camps, but we are definitely coming to a partial close.  Our bulletin boards are bare, classrooms packed for cleaning, and empty boxes are gathered to carry all that needs to be tossed.

Summer is a time of ending the year and sending students, parents, and staff off to all that makes summer a time for children...swimming, road trips, afternoon movies, or munching a snowcone on a hot afternoon. 

Summer is also the time we are already planning and gearing-up for next year.  We review campus data, interview for open positions, and spend time reviewing and reflecting on what worked and what didn't.

Teachers will still be "working" all summer.  They'll attend conferences, read professional literature, and get together to plan curriculum.  Some actually take very little time-off because there is so much to be done behind the scenes of a classroom.  Effective educators take thoughts of their students and their work with them wherever they go.  They are always thinking of ways to increase the accomplishments of their students as they refine their instructional skills.

I have my stack of books I'll be reading this summer...some by the pool, others while I relax next to a stream in Colorado.  Thoughts of our students and staff will be right there with me.  I enjoy time to relax, but I also cherish the emotions and energy associated with the start of another school year!  I'll be rested and ready for another year of adventure!