Wow!

That is all I can say ~ WOW! The last few months have been an amazing rollercoaster of quick decisions, celebrations, prayers, mourning, and all. the. learning. Seven months ago I had NO idea everything was going to change with my career. I was finishing up grad school with a degree in Education Technology Leadership and passed my Principal Certification. My fresh, new notebook was already filled with ideas and lists of things to do for the upcoming school year and I was pumped to get started in my second year as Instructional Coach with the Technology Team. My focus was Digital Citizenship and I was hoping to start some Genius Bars or Student Tech Groups at the elementary level. Last year was an enormous, exciting learning curve after 17 years in the classroom. I was going to really have a clue this year and do things well. ... Then, I received some phone calls and within a short amount of time I had interviewed three times and was named the new (recommended) Assistant Principal of one of our amazing elementary school. Y'all. WOW!

I was not expecting this opportunity and it absolutely thrilled me. The school, staff, students, families - all are the best! And my team - I am SO thankful.

At a recent meeting, we were asked to share how we came into administration. Of course, I mentioned the amazing leaders before me - my father, my former principals and assistant principals; not to mention those who were my boss or leaders in prior jobs. I shared how I never imagined I would leave the classroom and I was certain I'd never return to school. The older I get the more I learn we eat our own words all too often. ; ) My teaching experiences brought me here. My love for learning that was reignited by amazing leaders brought me here. Those I surround myself with, who lift me up and encourage and motivate me - brought me here. My former students and my own children - brought me here. I truly feel that all the dots (learning experiences) I've been collecting for years and years are now connecting. And I continue to learn - every. single. day.

This role is so different from what I imagined, not good nor bad, just different. Each day is a new day that is challenging, unpredictable, and amazing - all at the same time. Today I did three observations, watched chicks hatching while first graders 'oh-ed' and 'ah-ed', got a kagillion hugs, coached a student on making choices, called parents, completed online training and a test, thanked some teachers with Sonic drinks, facilitated a make-up CogAT test, walked many steps, met with our amazing specialists in three separate meetings, debriefed on our day with my leader, chatted with some teachers, and ate a HOT lunch in under ten minutes. It was glorious. I love it! This role is hard. This role is rewarding. I'm so thankful for this experience.

Was it hard to leave a role I loved for another? Yes! Of course it was. I really enjoyed my role as Instructional Coach and I have a passion for purposeful technology integration. However, I felt led to go for it. In my belly and in my heart, I knew. It was sad. I cried. I love my team from last year. I miss them very much. Yet now I see what I needed to learn in that role also contributes to what I'm doing now. After all, one of my favorite quotes from George Couros (@gcouros) is "change is the opportunity to do something amazing" and I remind myself of this every time it gets tough, and when it is awesome.

My hope is I can empower others the way others empower me. I hope I can still accomplish some of those tasks I had as a goal for this year, but they may look differently in my new role (social media interns, lunch and learn, book clubs, etc). I'm excited - I'm overwhelmed (and have struggled to blog on a timely basis) but it is all good.

Every day I see it: Teachers are working hard. Students are growing and learning and they make me smile! Families long to be connected and want what is best for their children. Communities want to encourage children to grow into outstanding citizens. It is happening.