Dedication and Care

Two concurrent things competed for my attention today. The Day Of Caring and the two people who toiled in my office from 9:00-3:30ish. Both were dedicated, and both cared deeply about what they were doing! At the close of my second week at Northcrest, I am (again) humbled.

Today, community members from various companies descended upon FWCS in order to help us with whatever we needed in relation to our (crumbling, in some cases) buildings. These businesses were so generous with their time, that I just have to stand in awe at their I-don't-know-what-to-call-it. I guess commitment would have to be one word. Why would these people posse-up and come to a school system to help? I'm just awed by that. Do they care? Are they FWCS alums? What could it possibly be that would motivate hoardes of people?

The one instance I am directly connected to is Regal Beloit's adoption of Haley Elementary (my alma mater.) My husband works at a plant that designs and builds things for Regal Beloit, and I was tickled to know that one of the companies he works with adopted one of the schools in my district. At a district leadership meeting I talked to the principal of that school. He thought 20 people or so were coming (that was two days ago.) Today, when I talked to him, he said it was upped to 40. WOW!!! Very humbling---thanks. Our community rocks!!

The second humbling experience today was related to the schedule. Rachel and Julie kicked tail and took down names. I saw them get excited, bummed, and everything in between as they solved the puzzle of the schedule. I told them that I was watching them from time to time in awe and amazement. I didn't even know where to poke my head in. There was no way I could do what they were doing. I am thankful and amazed at the dedication to the kids, and the donation of their precious time!!! There is no way for me to repay what these women (and Shelly, yesterday) helped do!!

Life is good when you are surrounded by these kinds of people!

Sticks and Stones

Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Our speaker at a leadership meeting today said what I've grown to realize over the years....it's a LIE. It is the words that hurt, not the stick or stone. The message this man brought wasn't new, but I appreciated the manner in which he did so. I was constantly finding myself in his message through his examples. I used to ignorantly say things that would hurt people. Thankfully I've learned skills that not only monitor my language (especially in relation to others), but have also changed my attitudes.

We are all unique. We must seek to understand first and foremost. Since my present lens is one of a new administrator in a new role, I am applying my learning to that position. The presenter, Dave Weber (not the same D.W. we have in the district, mind you), talked about how our tongues harm. My "now" application was a reflection of how careful I have to be right now. Since I'm new to the building I'm currently serving, I've already been targeted with comments that have a negative bent toward someone else in the building. Already I know much about alliances and dynamics, but I must beware that these people who don't know me, don't attach meaning to comments I make. When I'm confronted with someone who is talking about someone else, I feel boxed in. I'll listen, but don't want to engage in the conversation because that's how misinformation gets out. I have a great opportunity, in one week, when we have our first staff meeting. I will get to introduce myself and speak about my experience...perhaps this will be a great time to let people know how I operate, so they know my personal norms.

I'll go to sleep reflecting on Mr. Weber's message, and hope that we, as a district can come together and start kissing frogs. Think about that, will ya? :)

Independence meets Interdependence

After a good part of my day was sucked into a vortex of scheduling, I realize that my not knowing things is just part of my reality. I further realized, as I watched Julie's mind-work (thankfully, she talks out loud while she thinks), that I could NOT do this without her.

As I choked down my humble pie, I decided that this, too, was a reminder that we ARE to operate interdependently in the school setting, as long as we are being as efficient as possible. Part of the issues we face while trying to coordinate the mandated contract specials and the grant mandates and the legal mandates with Special Education and English Language Learners is a true give and take of one another's brain power. Right now I'm taking while others are giving. Hopefully my turn will come when I can give.

It's not such a bad thing to realize that I'm in the throes of a situation that will help us all in unique ways. I'm sure there will be other opportunities to eat humble pie as I continue to understand more about my new role, but fortunately, I'm o.k. with that. Model what you preach, I always say. If I can't take it, how can I hope anyone else will?

Product versus Process?

I've long been an advocate of the idea behind the process being more important than the product. Today, though, I felt like the product of my past. I guess it's fair to advocate both ideas as long as I remember that today's product will not be as evolved as tomorrow's.

Today was day number two at my new job. The school building is blooming with more and more color appearing on the bulletin boards and classrooms. It's really coming to life. One of my first tasks was to help with the new textbook adoption. Monday, I was by myself as the principal and the secretary were out. This is where the fun began...

I realized as I was looking at packing slips and inventories that my time working at Keltch's warehouse (and Reader's World) came in awful handy. Because the principal and the secretary had done such an excellent job in sorting the items by grade level, I was able to pick up where they left off. I consciously reminded myself that things in our life are sometimes there for interesting reasons. Who would have thought that such a simple job as I had distributing gift ware and books would help ease an otherwise tedious job.

I know it was not an overly complicated task, but there were several items bundled in unique ways and if I hadn't physically handled each piece, I would never know how they all went together. I actually made another realization today...some would look at this repetitious and monotonous job with disdain, but the mere handling of the materials helps me to learn what I'll need to know in order to support the new adoption.

2008 Meinvent, Day 30

I'm bored with the titles of my blogs, and I'm guessing everyone else is, too. It's almost a misnomer at this point. I'm really not inventing or re-inventing myself. I still eat too much junk, and the 30 minutes I proposed at the beginning? Yeah, well, let's just say that was when it seemed like I had lots of time left...well, I don't!

I have three more days until vacation. I'm pushing hard to tidy up the list. I can say that I'm tied up at Lane, so that's one large thing off the list. As for the rest...much is coming together. Everything seemed to go my way yesterday and today. I couldn't be more pleased!! Tomorrow will start to tell whether my wheeling and dealing will pay off.

Right now, I'm downloading "Three Cups of Tea" and since we live just East of Timbuktu, it's taking forever since we don't get FiOS out here. In about 10 minutes I'll have the book, and in three days I'll be enjoying it on the plane, then hopefully on the beach. This way, I don't have to carry the book with me. :)

I'll quit yammering, but I just wanted to share how grateful I am that things are going so well. The cherry would be the Flip finally Flipping...if you got any extra room on your prayer list, please add me...pray for a clean mouth, and for all the list to get picked off in the next few days. Good Night!

2008 Meinvent, Day 28

I don't feel very creative, or inventive, or anything else...all I know is that I've got 5 days until we go to Hilton Head and I've a lot to do.

It was a great weekend being with the family and such, but tomorrow entails much work, as does Tuesday...we'll see how it all fares...I might have tenants before the end of next week, or I might not...we'll see.

Good night...I've got to get up early.

2008 Meinvent Day 25

Hard to believe that I'm 25 days in...I don't feel any different. Well, actually I do. Lately the squeaky wheel has been getting the oil, and I've been all over the map with excavating, ORKINating, plastering, patching, painting, and key-making. Bottom line...it's all coming together. I've shown the apartments, and it looks hopeful for tenants. My house is on the market officially, and the financing for the flip looks like it's going to work (though I'm not going to count any chickens before they hatch.) I have seven more days to get stuff done (excluding July 4th, our vacation, and my 4 days-worth of New Administrator Academy. Wish me luck.



As soon as I figure the picture posting thing out, I'll post some pictures of my fabulous day lilies...