One Fine Day!

Whew! What a day, what a day. Working with all of our second grade students was exhilarating, but left me completely exhausted! Hats-off to our fine teachers who give it a 100% - day in and day out. Today I heard five little words that always inspire me, especially when they come from a teacher – “Will you show me how?” I cherish these words as they allow me an opportunity to “teach” and that is my one true passion. So, this afternoon found me learning side-by-side with a teacher previewing and downloading SmartBoard activities for our new science curriculum. Also rewarding was meeting with the fifth grade team to catch up on things and to plan for our all school, mock presidential election next Tuesday. Oh, and I was able to sneak in a Halloween story to our afternoon kindergarten students. I read to them earlier in the year and WOW, what a difference a couple of months and an exceptional teacher make – they were attentive and eager to learn. I will be returning to their classroom tomorrow to read to them again. These are busy days indeed!

The Gift of Time

Whirlwind, that is the one word that describes today – and what a day it was!

Today was definitely an instructional day. I taught a second grade guided reading group this morning. This was followed by conversations with the second grade team and tomorrow, I will be working with the teachers to lead a similar lesson on onomatopoeias with all of second grade. I have always believed that was is good for gifted kids is good for all kids. Of course, wanting to enhance the lesson with the SmartBoard, tonight, after the spectacular third grade musical, I found an exciting, interactive extension activity about onomatopoeias that we will introduce to second grade tomorrow.

After meeting with second grade this morning, I made it a point to visit each of our four third grade classrooms. In the third grade classrooms I was put to work perusing and commenting on cursive worksheets. I also was read to by three of our students during the literacy power hour plus (Boy these kids are sharp!). From that time on, I “popped in” to several different classes and grade levels to check in and touch base with staff and students.

The highlight of my day was reading a journal entry from a new teacher in our building. One of the most rewarding activities that I have implemented this year is that I journal weekly with the four new teachers that we have at Sleepy Hollow School. In one particular journal, a teacher who is experiencing some challenges with a parent commented that she was thankful for the SAM program due to the fact that I was in her classroom through several different learning activities throughout the year – not just evaluations. Her comment gave me energy and a feeling of “helpfulness.” Continuing to re-evaluate the importance of being in classrooms is definitely at the forefront of my mind every day. What greater gift can we give than that of the gift of time to nurture and sustain our students and staff?

Thank You for Making My Day!

At 3:22 p.m. this afternoon, I was halfway in and out of my office doorway when a teacher, who was checking her mailbox said, “You know Anastasia, I was going to write you a note, but since I am here, I will just tell you.” (At this point, I didn’t know what would follow). “You hold the bar really high for us and there have been a lot of changes this year. However, I want you to know that because of you I am a better teacher. Last week, as I was observing my students in class I thought about you and where my class is now and I just needed you to know that. Sometimes it is hard to see the forest through the trees, but you need to know that you do make a difference.”

The sincerity of the teacher and the impromptu conversation made my day. I wish I had a tape recorder because I am certain I missed some of her inspirational words. I thanked the teacher profusely for her sharing her thoughts with me (especially in front of another staff member) and reminded her that it was a team effort, of which it truly is. I also shared that change is difficult, but we all will be in a better place after the first reporting period is under our belt.

Later tonight, I found myself reflecting on some of the turbulence that we have experienced this school year due to a multitude of reasons, most of which are out of my circle of control: a new social studies curriculum, a new midterm report, a new standards-aligned report card, AIMs Web benchmark testing, RTI, and the implementation of a literacy power hour plus (this last one was in my circle of control). This brought to mind a quote by E.C. McKenzie ~ A good leader inspires men to have confidence in him; a great leader inspires them to have confidence in themselves. As the instructional leader of the school, I not only have the opportunity to watch students grow; I have the pleasure of watching the teachers grow too!

Out of the mouths of babes...

I was out of the building on Friday due to a medical issue. However, I did receive the following E-mail from a parent. The E-mail put a smile on my heart.

Hi Anastasia,

As my son ambled into the kitchen this morning, he wished today was
Tuesday instead of Friday for he looked forward to doing Guided
Reading with you.


Mom (changed for anonymity)

The Voyage Continues

Chronicling the day on paper is nearly impossible, but through this blog I am attempting to capture the essence of the journey of the SAMs project. Today found me arriving at school at 6:00 a.m. – why? you may wonder, well I had to depart by 3:15 p.m. for a doctor’s appointment and, as you well know, the paperwork and planning still has to be addressed. Getting to school early allowed for an hour of uninterrupted office time (punctuated with two cups of coffee!) and then I was off to visit a teacher who had requested to talk with me. With the SAMs project, it is rare that a teacher will schedule a meeting with me since they know they will see me during the course of the day, so I knew the meeting was important to this teacher. The basic premise of the conversation was that the teacher felt that she and I were not as “connected” this year as we had been in the past. After some thought-provoking discussion, it became clear what the issue was. This year, when the teacher had her plan time, I was in classrooms, thus reducing the opportunity to touch base. Through our intimate conversation, we addressed the issue head on and worked on some alternative times to meet or for me to spend time in her classroom. Most importantly, was my realization that if this person – a seasoned, self-confident teacher – was feeling disconnected with me was that I have to make a concerted effort to ensure that this doesn’t happen in the future. There were additional sidebar conversations about students, instruction, etc. The conversation ended with a hug and a new depth of understanding on both of our parts. I am thankful to have a staff that trusts in me, themselves, and the importance of open and honest communication. There is no doubt in my mind that the trust factor is one of the underlying tenets of the success of the SAMs project.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking a new landscape, but in seeing with new eyes.” ~Marcel Proust

Another Day in Paradise?!?

Tonight as I walked out of school at 7:40 p.m., I had to take solace in the fact that today wasn't completely "managerial." Although, it was quite challenging to remain focused on instruction. The first hiccup was the PTC meeting running over which had me straining to "catch up" the rest of the day (Is there truly such a thing?!). Two observations later, two post conferences, a couple of classroom visits, a surprise visit from a reporter from the Chicago Tribune writing an article on Sleepy Hollow for Halloween, and a few raging fires - I found myself at my desk inundated with E-mail and paperwork for the next couple of hours. The highlight of the day was planning for the second grade guided reading group tomorrow and sharing the lesson plans with the teachers. Also rewarding was working with a new teacher, during a post conference, searching for SmartBoard lesson plans for our new social studies curriculum. So, all in all, not a bad day - and there is always tomorrow to improve the craft. I look forward to greeting the students in the morning (always adds to the energy level), visiting classrooms, and meeting with the guided reading group. One of my future goals is to host a "lunch bunch" reading group with intermediate students during their lunch hour. I hope to have the invitation ready to go my Monday. Where does the time go? Peace...

Today was a Great Day!

The SAM Project is really beginning to take shape and this has encouraged me to set up a Blog to share the innovative project with others! Today I kicked off a guided reading group! I have been working closely with second grade and today met with a small group of students. I will be working with them on Tuesday and Thursday for the next two weeks and then will work my schedule to meet with them three days each week. They are a talented group of students and the time I spent with them was the most exciting part of my day. Additionally, I learned how to use the "clickers" for the SmartBoard and will present to the PTC general assembly tomorrow. Hopefully, we will be able to garner their support for four additional SmartBoards. It has been a productive week already in that it is only Tuesday and the two times that I have went to use the SmartBoard it has been checked out by teachers and is being utilized with students in the classroom. Most rewarding, is seeing that technology is being seamlessly incorporated into the curriculum - not as an "a side." All this in addition to attending Culver's Night, completing two evaluations, one post conference, two preconferences, and an impromptu meeting with teachers about report cards. I laugh when people ask me what I do all day. Day, what day? Life is good...