Life Through My Lens - Into the sunset...

Now, I know what you are thinking... three days in a row with blogposts?? She must have lost her mind... (I can assure you - this will not be a year of daily posts - you can breathe a sigh of relief, now... LOL) Still, I will hopefully be more consistent with it this year.

That brings us to the this post...

As I gazed at the brilliantly setting sun this evening, I realized today that it has been one year (tomorrow) since I took on my new role as a teaching principal. What a year it has been! I know that without the steady support of my faculty and staff this year would have been a much more difficult one as I learned the ropes, navigating my way through the ins and outs of this new position. I am so grateful to have been able to continue working with all of them.

Still, while all have given so much of themselves during this time, there are a couple of people in particular whose wholehearted friendship and support have gotten me through some tough days. To those people I give a special thank you for buoying my up when I was sinking and keeping me going when I wondered if I was up to the task before me. (You know who you are... at least I hope you do. :-) )

As this first year passes into the sunset I can only hope that I will be able to justify the faith that has been entrusted to me.

Oh the places you'll go...

So, today is Theodor S. Giesel's birthday... also known as Dr. Seuss. As most elementary teachers will tell you, Dr. Seuss is a very popular guy... at least to those under 5 feet high. (LOL). As a school we had Green Eggs and Ham for breakfast. (What else?!? LOL) Each class also had a Dr. Seuss cake made by our wonderful lunch workers.
I love so many of Dr. Seuss's books - some for their sheer silliness, and some for their timely lessons. I went around to each of the classes today and read one of my favorites - "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"


"And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!"

It always reminds me that anything is possible.


Today was also a day that we as a school were able to honor our former Principal. Things were rushed so much in December, that we didn't feel as though we were able to give him the send off we would have liked to. We asked him to come and be our guest reader for our Dr. Seuss day assembly. He read "The Sneetches," which is his favorite Dr. Seuss book - and for good reason. It teaches us all that we need to look beyond appearances and accept each other for who we are inside. We surprised him with a couple of his favorite books - signed by staff members, a throw, and a couple of other things that we felt would show him how much he meant to us. His wife and daughter were there as well, and we gave his wife a little gift as well, to thank her for all she did to support him while he was our Principal. I wrote a little poem and we gave it to him, as well. I think he was touched by what we had done. I hope he knows how much we all appreciated what he did for us.

And so it goes...

Today signaled the end of an era in my life... sounds ominous, right? Not really, but it is momentous for me. I can honestly say that I never thought I would be a principal in any stretch of my imagination. And yet today was my final day as simply a teacher. When I return to school in January I will be a principal. Fortunately, I will still be able to be in the classroom, so it won't be a complete change of scene. Today I found out who my "team" teacher will be  - which is a relief. At least now I know that I will be able to start the new year without having to be a full-time teacher as well as a part-time principal.
Today, we also said a big thank you to the current principal who will now be full-time at the high school. I think that he was touched by the thank you that the students created for him. I hope that he knows he will be missed at the elementary school, not only by the students, but the faculty and staff as well. It hasn't been easy for him to try and be the principal of two schools, especially in the current educational climate. I admire him for even trying. Reality is setting in. I only hope that I can do justice to the job and all those who are counting on me.

The only thing constant is change....

      I've heard that quote over the years and have found that it is so very true. Fast or slow, expected or unforeseen - change is always happening. The last couple of weeks have been filled with changes - positive, yet frightening, and a tad bittersweet.
      A week ago on Thursday (Dec. 9) the superintendent and elementary and secondary supervisors came to visit our school. They had decided, with approval from the school board, to create a half-day principal position at our school, thereby allowing the current principal - who has been splitting his time between the elementary and high school - to be a full-time principal at the high school. This is a change that has been needed for many years, but the timing of it came as a bit of a shock. In separate meetings, they asked to speak with the sixth grade teacher and me because we are in the administrative program. They asked if we would be interested in the position. If we both said yes, then they would set up interviews for the next week. We both expressed interest and the interviews were set up for this past Thursday (Dec. 16). It was a bit of a nerve-wracking day, to say the least. My interview began at about 10:30 a.m. and finished about 45 minutes later. It was a bit intimidating sitting across from a good portion of the district office, plus our local school board member. (Okay, there were only 5 of them, but it was still as intimidating as if there had been twice that number.)
       I felt that I was as prepared as I could be and had prayed for the ability to express my self in an understandable and logical way. When the interview was finished, I felt that I had done pretty well, but I really did not think that I would receive the job. I was simply grateful to have made it through the interview without making any glaring mistakes.
       I knew that the sixth grade teacher is highly qualified, as well, and I knew he would do a good job as a principal. He had several good ideas that he had described during our year and a half in the educational leadership program together and I knew he would present himself well in the interview. When I left the interview, the committee said that they figured they would have the decision with 30 minutes. Nearly 2 1/2 hours later, the elementary supervisor came and escorted me down the the principal's office. (Yes, it did feel as if I was going to the office as a child - my nerves were on edge.) After I was seated in the office, they closed the door and proceeded to offer me the job. To say that I was dumbfounded is the understatement of the year! They told me that it had been a very difficult decision to which I responded that I had not envied them the task. We were both very qualified applicants who brought a variety of strengths to the table.
   As they started to describe what would happen, and the timing of when I would start, it started to sink in that I am sailing into uncharted waters. Instead of having months or even several weeks to prepare, my duties begin on January 3, 2011 - less than three weeks away. I am excited, in that this will be a good change for our school, to have a principal on the grounds. Yet, I am nervous as well, because I want to do a good job and I don't want to disappoint anyone. Additionally, a very qualified person, and a good friend and his family were hurt by the decision,  and that made the moment even more bittersweet because that was the last thing I wanted to happen. My feelings have been on a roller-coaster, feeling torn between feeling grateful for this new experience and not wanting to cause any hurt. And yet, the very person who could be the most upset at this decision, has been very gracious and kind. I spent the day, yesterday, with his family, as we studied for the Praxis test that we have to take in January as part of our Master's program. It was a good day and I enjoyed the visit with him and his wife and children. They truly have become very close friends, and I hope that never changes.
       This experience is bound to be a growing one for me. I have no illusions going in that it will be an easy job. I know there are times when I will feel isolated and alone and my comfort will be in knowing that I am never alone, that my Savior will always be there to offer comfort and guidance. I also know that I will have the support of a loving family, wonderful friends, and a great faculty and staff as I begin this new adventure.