Call to Leadership

When I first joined the ranks of administration, I worked with an administrator that reminded me of the difficulties I was about to face. He told me, “If you accept the call to leadership, you must be willing to be misunderstood, criticized, opposed, accused, and even rejected.” Funny thing was, that didn’t deter me, but inspired me. I believe that through communication and building positive professional relationships, we can bridge those gaps in understanding. The same can be said for students in the classroom. Many times they are going to say the same types of things, albeit for different reasons. They criticize, oppose, accuse, reject, and plenty of times misunderstand the intended directive. We in turn, cannot throw our hands up and quit.  We have to bridge the understanding, or misunderstanding, with solid communication.  Though I speak of this like I am proficient, I am not.  I know I am not perfect and can improve with my communication. Even if I am perfect in a situation, I can always be better, so really, there is never an absolute perfect. Communication and understanding is a moving target that takes effort. Effort that is appreciated when it is delivered. So back to what that administrator said to me when I first entered the ranks. I am not inspired to be misunderstood, but inspired to bridge understanding. I believe that in tough conversations, we can sow seeds of success for ourselves and our students. The challenge is in communication. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  Stay warm and dry in all this weather. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Daydream Believer - The Monkees).

Until next time...

Conquer It

For some reason this week on Sirius XM 80’s on 8, there has been a large amount of Michael Jackson music.  Not that I am bothered by it because I am a bit of a fan. In the 80’s he led a charge of music greats including Prince, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, not to forget the great bands like the Police, Genesis, Van Halen, or Guns-n-Roses.  The decade was filled with great music that was played by now-aging artists that are entering the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Understanding this, Michael Jackson, had a string of hits that spanned several albums.  Every time I hear one of his songs, I am immediately transported back to the past.  I was lucky enough to see him in concert three times, once with his brothers.  Every time was a unique experience that left me wanting to see another.  Though I have my favorites from him, there is one song and lyric that always draws my attention when I hear it.  In Human Nature, he sings “If this town is just an apple, then let me take a bite”. I always interpreted that as the ultimate go-getter attitude. I like the frame of mind that you are going to take a bite out of a big city like New York. It's the attitude! It is a modern version of the quote by Julius Caesar from antiquity when he said,”Veni Vidi Vici”. Again, it is all about the attitude. I understand it as not simply about the conquer but the confidence to do so.  Just think if we could instill that kind of confidence in our math students. The attitude that no matter what is thrown at me, I will not only conquer it, but have an enjoyable time doing so.  What a mindset! With that, enjoy your 3-day weekend. Conquer it with pleasure. Have an exceptional weekend! Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Michael Jackson - Human Nature). 

Until next time...

Reflection

This morning during my time of reflection, I began to ponder the power of reminiscing. Not so much getting lost in the past, but simply recollecting past events that were enjoyable and provided a rewarding experience. The moments may have been happy, or difficult, but the outcome became much more than expected. To avoid too much pontification about my mental state, I can simply say reminiscing is powerful. I find it boosts my mood and overall sense of well-being. I know it is because when we think about positive experiences from the past, we are reminded of the good times and the people involved. This helps to counterbalance all the negativity in the world we all experience. We all know this to be true, but many times fail to take the time for ourselves. Not that I am making another statement about self care, but the act of reminiscing can help us gain a better understanding of ourselves and our personal growth. When we think about our past experiences, we are able to see how we have changed and grown as individuals. This can be especially important for people who are going through difficult times, as it can help to provide a sense of perspective and hope for the future.  As we reflect on our past experiences, we can begin to see patterns and connections that we may have missed before. This can help us to gain a deeper understanding of our lives and the choices we have made. Indulging in enjoyable recollections or just thoughts of any kind can be completely beneficial because it is all about taking the time to slow down just for a moment. It truly is valuable. With that thought in mind, take a moment this weekend to reflect on the good memories and be grateful for them. Have an exceptional weekend! Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Greenday - Time of My Life). 

Until next time...

In My Life

The other day, I was listening to the Beatles song "In My Life" and it hit a chord with me. In the song, John Lennon sings about the people, places, and memories that have shaped him. As educators, we have the opportunity to be a part of the lives of our students in a similar way. We have the power to shape their minds, inspire their hearts, and guide them on their journey through life. That itself is a powerful thought, especially in high school when memories made are carried forever.  All the more reason for us to realize our impact. As we connect with our students, we must remember that each one is unique and special in their own way. We should take the time to get to know them as individuals, and strive to understand their needs and interests. By doing so, we can create an environment where they feel safe, valued and respected. But connecting with students isn't just about getting to know them as individuals. It's also about providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed. This means providing them with a challenging and engaging curriculum, encouraging them to take risks and learn from their mistakes, and being available to offer support and guidance when they need it. As educators, we have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of our students. We can inspire them to follow their dreams and reach their full potential. We are part of their story and we can positively shape them forever. To make a positive impact on the human condition is worthy of a pat on the back. With that thought, have a wonderful weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Beatles - In My Life).

Until next time...

Time to Reflect

Over the Winter break I am allowed time to reflect on plenty of things. With all the craziness going on through the holidays, I kept coming back to one thought: Focus.  It is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves.  Stay focused on the task at hand, the people around us, the issues we can affect, and the life we want to lead. As large as those issues may seem, when we break them down to the root form, they become more simplistic. We should always focus on tasks we have in front of us and prioritize their importance.  We should take time for the people around us.  Those people in our families and those in our circle.  We should listen more. It is amazing the things we can hear when we just actively listen to those near us. We should focus on only the things we individually have the power to change.  Going beyond that simply adds to our stress. Handle what you can handle and let the rest go. Then finally, we should focus on the life we want to lead today, not tomorrow. If there is one thing that I do know, tomorrow is not a given. Personally, I wake every morning thankful I have been granted another day to get it right. With that gift, I try daily to work hard and be nice. Some days I fail miserably, and others I hit the mark, but the goal remains. With that, I wish you all a wonderful 2023 and that each of you find happiness in your own way everyday. On another note, is anyone up to help me build a boat? Have the most excellent weekend and stay dry. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Michael Franti - Work Hard and Be Nice).

Until next time...

Returning from Vacation

Returning to work after a vacation can be a difficult transition. It's normal to feel a sense of dread or even sadness as you say goodbye to the freedom and relaxation of time off. However, there are steps you can take to make the transition back to work a little easier.

First, try to ease yourself back into your work routine. If you've been away for a week or more, it can be overwhelming to jump straight back into your full workload. Consider starting with a half day or even just a few hours on your first day back. This will give you a chance to catch up on emails and adjust to being back in the office.

It can also be helpful to set aside some time before you return to work to get organized. This might involve updating your to-do list, reviewing any projects that you missed while you were away, and getting your workspace in order. By taking a few minutes to get organized, you'll be better prepared to tackle your workload once you return to the office.

One of the biggest challenges of returning to work after a vacation is dealing with the inevitable catch-up period. It's likely that you'll have a lot of work to do and a lot of people to catch up with, which can be overwhelming. To manage this, try to prioritize your tasks and focus on the most important ones first. It's also a good idea to ask your coworkers or manager for their help in prioritizing your workload.

If you're feeling anxious or stressed about returning to work, try to take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that it's normal to feel this way. It's okay to take a few days to adjust to being back in the office and getting back into your work routine. Remember to be kind to yourself and give yourself time to adjust.

Another way to make the transition back to work easier is to stay connected to the things that you enjoyed about your vacation. This might mean continuing to exercise or eat healthily, or even bringing back a souvenir or two to decorate your desk. These small reminders of your time away can help you feel more connected to your vacation and make your work environment feel a little brighter.

Finally, try to stay positive and focus on the things that you're looking forward to at work. This might include working on a new project, catching up with coworkers, or even just the sense of accomplishment that comes with getting back into a productive routine.

Returning to work after a vacation can be tough, but by taking small steps to ease yourself back into your work routine and staying positive, you can make the transition a little easier. Remember to be kind to yourself and give yourself time to adjust, and don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Until next time...

Consent

Yesterday I was pondering the term ‘Consent’. I say term because the particular word describes a concept and the same meaning as a verb and a noun:  Permission for something to happen.  I was thinking about it because on Thursday I arrived at work just like any other day.  Began my morning ritual of organizing my thoughts on the most pressing items to tackle. I wasn’t at work long before I began feeling really poor.  Not in an emotional sense, but a general unwell feeling physically. After about 20 minutes, things weren’t improving, they were degrading, so I decided to inform the team that I was bowing out for the day. I bring this up not to troll for some sort of sympathy, but to lead into my point about consent. I know many of you share my feelings when I say, I hate not being at school. Understanding this, it is the season however for all kinds of viral infections. This year I have experienced a few, which makes me even more frustrated. That feeling doesn’t help. We all catch the cold, flu, or have life happen to us in adversarial ways. I usually have to coach myself out of irritation by giving myself consent. Simply put, I give myself consent to rest, consent to rehabilitate, and consent to revive. This idea of self consent is unusual, but not new. It is about releasing and treating your own needs and limits with respect. It is the embodiment of the idea of actually ‘taking care’ when you hear the salutation of “Take care”.  We have to understand that when we do not give ourselves consent to recover, we are operating as less than. Using a sports analogy, we are ‘playing hurt’ or ‘not at 100%’.  Just remember, 50% of you is still only 50% of you. We can’t give 120% like some sports figures would like us all to think. There is only 100% and when it is cut down, we are left with less than. Simple math. With all that, I consent to being well and I wish the same for all of you. Have the most excellent weekend and stay dry. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Ant Clemons and Justin Timberlake - Better Days).

Until next time...