If you want to feel secure, do what you already know how to do.
If you want to be a true professional and continue to grow…go to the cutting-edge of your competence,which means a temporary loss of security. So whenever you don’t quite know what you’re doing, know that you are growing.
~Madeline Hunter
Greetings,
It seems that the school year should be winding down, but it feels as if our year is in full swing! The SAM Project continues to challenge me in ways I never imagined. I chose the “Hunter” quote above because it succinctly captures my sentiments these days. Security = Zero. . .I guess one could say I am growing! If I were only a plant, I would be reaching the sky by now!
Using the TimeTracker data has proven to be an excellent resource to better manage my time as an instructional leader. The SAMs, Kerry and Jill, have developed an intuitive sense for using the data to help guide me in the right direction – the classrooms. This is not an easy task! Often, I am still pulled in a 1,001 directions – unbelievably, but sometimes, by my own perfectionist qualities! – and they use the data to kindly point that out- ha! Together, monitoring the data daily, we are getting more adept at managing my time so that I can directly impact student and teacher learning. This isn’t to say the principalship has become any easier, in many ways it has become more challenging. However, I can’t imagine life without the SAM Project!
During the past few weeks I have collaborated with teachers on literacy lessons, SmartBoard lessons, and teaching strategies in general. The kindergarten teacher, music teacher, and I worked out a plan for differentiating instruction for our high-level readers in kindergarten. This is a goal I have had for three years, and I can hardly believe it has come to fruition! The music teacher and I are providing guiding reading instruction for the groups of kindergarten students for a couple of times a week. I have been awestruck working with the children. There is something magical about reading with young children who are developing fluency, word recognition, and comprehension. Imagine listening to them as they talk about making connections and adding to their schema…they know these words, what they mean, and how to use them – powerful!
One of the most memorable parts of the past two weeks is the teaching and learning conversations that have transpired between me and the staff, and the staff with the staff! Not an hour goes by when I am not involved with, or listening to, a conversation about student or teacher learning! These conversations are a favorite part of my day and they are what give me get-up-and-go when my get-up-and-go has got-up-and-went! For as long as I can remember, I have always found myself energized working with students, now I find the same rejuvenation also taking place collaborating with teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff. Charlotte Danielson, in her new book Talk About Teaching – Leading Professional Learning Communities notes, “Of all the approaches available to educators to promote teacher learning, the most powerful (and embedded in all others) is that of professional conversation” (2009, p. 5). The reflective conversations occurring daily at Sleepy Hollow School assist us in understanding and analyzing student learning, thus directly impacting our instruction. Over and over, during the past months, I have found myself using the statement – “I’m thinking out loud, what do you think about…have you…how are you…can we?” Now, these are the same questions that are being posed to me!
I will close with a favorite quote by Margaret Wheatley, “Power in organization is the capacity generated by relationships.” We are actively building relationships in the form of professional learning communities at Sleepy Hollow School. The power of these relationships are generated in the collegial conversations and actions of our staff, and the smiles and achievement of our students.
With a passion for excellence and contagious optimism,
Anastasia
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Synergy – Combined Efforts Being Greater Than Parts
“Excellence can be obtained if you care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more that others think is practical, and expect more than others think is possible.”
Have you ever experienced true synergy? Well, tonight I did! A year’s preparation came to full fruition at our annual Open House and Art Expo. Right this moment, I pause and smile as I reflect on the event. How do you explain something in words that was so powerful to experience? Let me try to capture the occurrence…
Tonight was the culmination of a year’s work of teaching and learning on behalf of the students, staff, parents, and community. The evening officially began at six, but parents and staff had been putting final touches on their masterpieces for the past few days. As families began arriving a feeling of joy permeated the air. Perchance it was the beautiful spring night that was sandwiched between two rainy days? Regardless, I keyed up the audio system with Jack Johnson’s Curious George CD and went to greet everyone. Faces beamed with radiant smiles as students entered the building and guided parents, grandparents, families, and friends through the school and individual classrooms. One thing that surprised me the most was the unusual number of alumnae that had come back to visit. Some didn’t have siblings, but tagged along with a neighbor to visit their “old” school. I had to laugh out loud as one former student wore their Sleepy Hollow Field Day T-Shirt since all student were encouraged to wear his/her spirit wear. When I complimented her on her choice of attire, she exclaimed, “This shirt is from the best school ‘ever’.”
At that point, I retrieved my video camera and began capturing the night on video. This is where I discovered that something unique was taking place. As I went from classroom to classroom, it was as if I were at a family reunion. Parents, seemingly old friends, greeted each other with warm, hearty hellos, and hugs as they visited classrooms, the art expo, raffle, and waited in line for the book fair. The staff glowed as they welcomed families into their classrooms to enjoy the fruits of the classes’ hard work. Yes, it was packed - yes, it was warm, but that really didn’t seem to matter. Everyone, including me, was “in the moment.” Perhaps we all became transported to that wonderful world of our childhood days – the elementary school. Thinking about it now, the night seems surreal. For me, it was magical and I hope that one day the students remember this night with fondness. I know I will never forget this night.
Prior to families arriving, a dad and his daughter, whom I have known for five years, purposefully sought me out and presented me with an envelope for “our library.” Before families began arriving, I opened the envelope and inside was a check and a letter. The funds enclosed were a gift to our library and six books were to be purchased and donated on behalf of the Brownie troop. It was such a generous gift that I found myself thinking about how lucky we were to have such caring families that would think about donating funds to support our library.
During the evening, as families were lingering enjoying one another’s company, a mom who had been volunteering at the book fair stated that she would like to talk to me before she left. I have known this “graduating” mom for five years and have had many memorable experiences with her and her family, i.e. field days, silent auctions, classroom parties, field trips, etc. Well, this mom ended up bringing tears to my eyes. When she left, she hand-delivered an envelope, looked at me with a bit of melancholy in her eyes, and gave me an envelope. She said she wanted to say thank you. With that, she turned and left.
Later, in my office, I opened the envelope:
Anastasia, PTC Board, and Staff,
Sadly, this is our family’s last hurrah at Sleepy Hollow School. I can’t believe it! And have we seen changes over the years! All for the good, no doubt.
Be proud of all that you have accomplished. You have a wonderful school, an awesome reputation and a strong parental support system. I’m sorry that for the last few years I haven’t been able to be as involved. I really enjoyed being a part of it all.
Please use this donation towards the purchase of your next “Smart Board.” We were very impressed by the versatility of this new teaching/learning tool. What a great addition to the classroom!
Thank you for taking such wonderful care of our children over the years. Here’s hoping that the remainder of their D300 experience is as awesome as their elementary years.
Fondly,...
Enclosed was a check to cover the costs of a SmartBoard.
It was at this moment that I realized that somehow, and in someway, this night was not like any other. This feeling caught me off-guard and I felt tears well up in my eyes. Not tears of joy, not tears of sadness, but tears at the awesomeness of the night. I thought about this family, and of all of our fifth graders that would soon be departing for the middle school. I reflected on the students as first graders and growing through the years- picturing their faces, their successes, their challenges. I considered my relationships with their parents and how sad I was to see all of them leave. Then, I was reminded of an adage along the line that states, “The true goal of parenting is to give children strong roots in which to grow and wings to soar.” It is my belief that the partnership that forms between the school and home has made us all parents of “our” children. I personally know that due to one community’s combined effort, our children will grow, thrive, and blossom as they transition beyond the walls of the elementary setting.
As the principal, I have the ultimate honor of watching these young persons come back to visit – year after year – and share their accomplishments of academic success (this evening, one former student informed me that she received “straight A’s”), competing in the arts, and finding success in sports. For a very long time, I have professed that the best job in the world is teaching. Tonight, I find my perspective changing, perhaps the best job in the world is teaching, leading, and learning.
Elated, exhausted, and content,
Anastasia
Have you ever experienced true synergy? Well, tonight I did! A year’s preparation came to full fruition at our annual Open House and Art Expo. Right this moment, I pause and smile as I reflect on the event. How do you explain something in words that was so powerful to experience? Let me try to capture the occurrence…
Tonight was the culmination of a year’s work of teaching and learning on behalf of the students, staff, parents, and community. The evening officially began at six, but parents and staff had been putting final touches on their masterpieces for the past few days. As families began arriving a feeling of joy permeated the air. Perchance it was the beautiful spring night that was sandwiched between two rainy days? Regardless, I keyed up the audio system with Jack Johnson’s Curious George CD and went to greet everyone. Faces beamed with radiant smiles as students entered the building and guided parents, grandparents, families, and friends through the school and individual classrooms. One thing that surprised me the most was the unusual number of alumnae that had come back to visit. Some didn’t have siblings, but tagged along with a neighbor to visit their “old” school. I had to laugh out loud as one former student wore their Sleepy Hollow Field Day T-Shirt since all student were encouraged to wear his/her spirit wear. When I complimented her on her choice of attire, she exclaimed, “This shirt is from the best school ‘ever’.”
At that point, I retrieved my video camera and began capturing the night on video. This is where I discovered that something unique was taking place. As I went from classroom to classroom, it was as if I were at a family reunion. Parents, seemingly old friends, greeted each other with warm, hearty hellos, and hugs as they visited classrooms, the art expo, raffle, and waited in line for the book fair. The staff glowed as they welcomed families into their classrooms to enjoy the fruits of the classes’ hard work. Yes, it was packed - yes, it was warm, but that really didn’t seem to matter. Everyone, including me, was “in the moment.” Perhaps we all became transported to that wonderful world of our childhood days – the elementary school. Thinking about it now, the night seems surreal. For me, it was magical and I hope that one day the students remember this night with fondness. I know I will never forget this night.
Prior to families arriving, a dad and his daughter, whom I have known for five years, purposefully sought me out and presented me with an envelope for “our library.” Before families began arriving, I opened the envelope and inside was a check and a letter. The funds enclosed were a gift to our library and six books were to be purchased and donated on behalf of the Brownie troop. It was such a generous gift that I found myself thinking about how lucky we were to have such caring families that would think about donating funds to support our library.
During the evening, as families were lingering enjoying one another’s company, a mom who had been volunteering at the book fair stated that she would like to talk to me before she left. I have known this “graduating” mom for five years and have had many memorable experiences with her and her family, i.e. field days, silent auctions, classroom parties, field trips, etc. Well, this mom ended up bringing tears to my eyes. When she left, she hand-delivered an envelope, looked at me with a bit of melancholy in her eyes, and gave me an envelope. She said she wanted to say thank you. With that, she turned and left.
Later, in my office, I opened the envelope:
Anastasia, PTC Board, and Staff,
Sadly, this is our family’s last hurrah at Sleepy Hollow School. I can’t believe it! And have we seen changes over the years! All for the good, no doubt.
Be proud of all that you have accomplished. You have a wonderful school, an awesome reputation and a strong parental support system. I’m sorry that for the last few years I haven’t been able to be as involved. I really enjoyed being a part of it all.
Please use this donation towards the purchase of your next “Smart Board.” We were very impressed by the versatility of this new teaching/learning tool. What a great addition to the classroom!
Thank you for taking such wonderful care of our children over the years. Here’s hoping that the remainder of their D300 experience is as awesome as their elementary years.
Fondly,...
Enclosed was a check to cover the costs of a SmartBoard.
It was at this moment that I realized that somehow, and in someway, this night was not like any other. This feeling caught me off-guard and I felt tears well up in my eyes. Not tears of joy, not tears of sadness, but tears at the awesomeness of the night. I thought about this family, and of all of our fifth graders that would soon be departing for the middle school. I reflected on the students as first graders and growing through the years- picturing their faces, their successes, their challenges. I considered my relationships with their parents and how sad I was to see all of them leave. Then, I was reminded of an adage along the line that states, “The true goal of parenting is to give children strong roots in which to grow and wings to soar.” It is my belief that the partnership that forms between the school and home has made us all parents of “our” children. I personally know that due to one community’s combined effort, our children will grow, thrive, and blossom as they transition beyond the walls of the elementary setting.
As the principal, I have the ultimate honor of watching these young persons come back to visit – year after year – and share their accomplishments of academic success (this evening, one former student informed me that she received “straight A’s”), competing in the arts, and finding success in sports. For a very long time, I have professed that the best job in the world is teaching. Tonight, I find my perspective changing, perhaps the best job in the world is teaching, leading, and learning.
Elated, exhausted, and content,
Anastasia
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