Welcome back staff to a new year. The beginning of the year always makes me reflect on why I work in the best possible profession. Every year we are met with the opportunity to change. We get new rosters of students and sometimes new policies. We get the wonderful opportunity to reinvent ourselves every August. That very situation places change at the forefront. Understanding that change is a big reason for stress. It can be uncomfortable. The change can also present us the opportunity to escape the ruts of the day-to-day grind. Though change is difficult, we need to embrace it, just as our students do. It is a well-known fact that growth begins to happen when we approach the boundaries of our comfort zone. I see it as an opportunity to grow. Every August, we ask that of our students. They arrive at school with the hope of a great year unfortunately, hope is not a strategy. We need to continue to meticulously plan for their success. It is important for us to show up daily and give our best to our students. Our students should expect it. Our parents do expect it. We collectively expect it of ourselves. Parents send us all they have. They do not keep the ‘good ones’ at home and send the others. All that being stated, the opening of school is always intense and the August heat has not been kind to us. As we embrace everything new and settle in for the long haul, it is important to take some time for yourself. Take a moment every now and then and just breathe. Know that as educators, we are in a pretty good space. As professionals, we get to mold the youth of America. That idea remains powerful. I wish you the best school year you have ever had. After such a hot and busy week, we all need some rest. Have a super weekend.…Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Sheryl Crow – A Change Would Do You Good).
Until next time...
