Too Busy...

When did we get too busy to care?

It seems like no matter what month we are in, no matter which season it is, no matter how many or how few items are currently on the to do list ...we all remain in a constant state of busy.

We hardly have "time" to stop and socialize. We often get so wrapped up in checking things off the to do list and going from one meeting to the next that we often don't stop to check on each other. Some of these people I have worked with for years and I couldn't tell you what they face at the moment. If conversations derail from the current meeting or agenda we are often then forced to apologize for veering off topic and steer back on course. A substitute in our building last week asked why none of the teachers were eating in the teacher's lounge. I responded... "We are too busy."

Too busy.
Too busy to eat?
Too busy to socialize?
Too busy to allow ourselves to connect with those around us?
When did we get too busy?
How did we get too busy?

I have learned that the best and most productive meetings are in an environment where people feel comfortable. Sometimes a teacher has a headache and needs to not take the lead that day. Sometimes there is a sick kid at home and the teacher's mind is elsewhere.

We do not expect our students to learn and grow in our classrooms without nourishing their souls and making personal connections. We strive to create a culture of care with our kids. The same should be true of teachers. We are all people working on the same team toward the same goal.

Take a minute to ask how someone is doing and really listen to the answer.
You never know when someone may need to unload.

Next time you feel like you are too busy to make a personal connection ask yourself WHY?

After all, we are in the business of making personal connections.

What's Happens in September?

September is when settlement happens.

*Students become acclimated with their teachers and peers.
*Teachers settle into a routine as they tackle their new block schedule.
*Teachers cultivate a community as learn about each of  the members of their new tribe.
*The Christie community begins to shift their thinking about planning and how it should look.
*Thoughts of summer dissipate as fall starts to creep upon us.
*Routines are established.
*Expectations are set.
*Relationships are built and solidified.
*Classes dive into learning as students and teachers are pushed out of their comfort zones.
*There is noise and things that once looked brand new start to show signs of wear.

In all of this season of great change we must not forget the most important part of our job is to touch the heart and mind of a child. We must teach our students that building positive relationships and cultivating friendships is of equal importance to math and reading concepts. Working in groups and becoming a positive member of society should be a key focus throughout the year.

In September we are building communities, positive productive citizens, and instilling a love of learning. If these things aren't happening, then really what's the point? Students must feel valued before they will grasp and retain educational content.

So raise your water bottle (or coffee mug) and let's cheers to a September of settlement!

Don't Judge On Construction

As you walk through the halls at Christie Elementary you will immediately notice streaks on the floors, bare bulletin boards, a courtyard that is "under construction," dirt pits on the playground, an impassible front drive, & many other indicators that we are not ready for school to start on Monday. In fact, finding a place to park among the construction vehicles and debris presents its own set of challenges.

When you look past the mess and start to observe the things happening around our school you see hard work, dedication, teamwork, and collaboration. Teams of teachers sitting together discussing how to plan, what to plan, and what will be best for their students. You see binders open to grave level TEKS, computers projecting weekly plans, TEs scattered, and educators fully engaged. Construction workers come in and out of the room sanding, painting, talking... and the teachers keep right on planning.

The TO DO lists of our teachers seems to grow longer every year... but you don't see anyone looking at their lists today.

We are a tech savvy school... but the phones have been put away.

We are all here for one greater purpose. We all have the same end goal, to grow our kids.We know what we have to do, and no matter what the building looks like... we will do it.

Our teachers were just told that they are not allowed to come to school this weekend because of last minute construction preparing for kids to arrive on Monday. One would think that they would be relieved to get the weekend off before the start of a busy year, but they are not. These teachers want everything to be perfect for the students entering their rooms. They wish for their classrooms to reflect the excitement and love they feel for their incoming students.

As I walk through the halls at Christie Elementary I feel pride. I can't wait to see what amazing things happen during the 2015-2016 school year.

The End OR A New Beginning?

Around August 1st each year I start developing symptoms.. it's the same thing every year for the past 11 years....

*exhaustion by day and insomnia by night
*headaches
*lethargy and the desire to "do nothing"
*procrastination (but if I'm being honest this is a 24/7...365 symptom of just being me.)

I feel as if I were momentarily taken over by Grumpy the dwarf and I have to fight hard to not have an attitude with those around me...the ones I love most.

It hits me like a ton of bricks. It's when I stop sleeping that I then realize, summer is over.

No more waking up and slowly sipping my coffee while I watch my daughter explore the world.
No more traveling around to see family. No more lakes and beaches.
No more days spent at the pool.
No more spontaneity of plans, back to structure and routine.
No more staying up late.
No more free time.
No more being a stay at home mom.

But then I think about my job...
...the kids
...the teachers
...the admin
...about what I actually do


What is the real source of my stress? What am I worried about really?

I have built up this fantasy in my head about the summer break. A dark cloud lurks over August.

I will always cherish my summer vacations but with school starting comes a new beginning.
A chance to make a difference
A chance to reconnect with colleagues

Here is what I know for sure, when school begins...

I will laugh.
I will reconnect with friends that by the end of the year are more like family.
I will collaborate.
I will teach and they will learn.
I will watch as light bulbs of understanding flicker on a million times.
I will be part of something big.
I will have ideas that are unimaginable in August.
I We will dream and implement.
We will celebrate successes and work through failures.
We will grow together.

I must force myself to stop and reevaluate my body's response to the end of summer.... what am I so worried about?

After 11 years I know one thing for sure, I love my job. I love the kids.
Summer is over but will come again.

Now it's time to get my butt in gear and rev up for an amazing adventure.

BRING ON the 2015-2016 school year!

Engineering Expo

We are gearing up for the Engineering Expo on May 21st! The students are busy making their way through the engineering design process. Below are the details of this exciting event! We invite you to join us as our Christie Cubs present their engineering projects.. it's sure to be riveting!

The students have all been given a TEK connected problem to solve. They are working through the design process below and are fully engaged in the task of creating and improving their prototypes. 

Check out this second grade class as they work through the challenge to create a toy that will move on its own. https://vine.co/v/eKrK3xX6AOB

We hope you will join us for this exciting event!

#honestyday

Today is National Honesty Day. On announcements we asked students and teachers to debate the question...

Is if ever OK not to be honest?

I found it insightful to hear what students k-5 think about honesty as a virtue compared to teachers. Below are some highlights from both sides of the debate. I have color coded adult and student answers because I see a pattern... kids answers are in RED, adults in BLUE.... notice anything?

It is NEVER OK not to be honest:

*2nd Grader: 1 lie can make all of your truths questionable.

*Kinder kid:  It is NOT OK to not tell the truth because your parents will always find out anyway and you will get in trouble. 

*5th Grader: No, even a little lie could keep going and turn big. 

* 1st Grader: It is not OK to lie because no one will ever believe you again. 

*Kinder teacher: A lie is like a snowball, it starts off small and then grows and gets so big it falls apart and then the truth is discovered. 

*5th Grader: It is not OK to not be honest, you always have to say the truth. 

*Kinder kid: Friends should always tell each other the truth. 

*5th Grader: If you keep lying no one will believe you or trust you again. You will be miserable just talking to your pillow pet. 

...7 students, 1 teacher

It IS OK not to be honest, sometimes:

*Sped Teacher: Honesty always needs to be paired with tact!

*GT teacher: Just have to know whether the person you're talking to can handle the truth/go from there.

Literacy Instructional coach: Knowledge is knowing what to say, wisdom is knowing whether or not to say it. Honesty is not always the best policy. 

* 3rd Grader: It's OK not to be honest only when you're throwing a surprise party for someone and you have to lie to keep it a secret. 

* Math Instructional coach: Is it helpful or hurtful? Does it build people up or tear them down?

*Literacy Instructional Coach: Must we consider little white lies of protection for others?

...1 student, 5 teachers

Reflection

Obviously there were a lot more responses from this morning's chat but look at the pattern...
adults mostly agree that omission of honesty IS OK at times.
Kids mostly agree that honesty is ALWAYS required.

My take away question is this: When does the innocence of a child seeing this virtue as black/white... right/wrong to become situational?

Is this a you live, you learn type of thing?
I say there is something to be gained here about the innocence of a child.

One of those days... drip

Some days are just "those days" you know the kind where little things continually happen and you begin to wonder, huh?

Today is one of those days.... drip

I woke up barely balanced on the edge of my bed to find my toddler stretched out on my pillow. drip.

While driving her to daycare, I received a disheartening phone call that made it difficult to focus on enjoying one of my favorite times of the day, the morning ride to school. You know there is a problem when a sweet voice from the back says, "Mama, please get off the phone." drip.

I arrived at work late and walked quickly toward the door only to notice my coffee cup had a hole on the bottom and had slowly been creating a coffee pool in my cup holder. drip.

On the way in I realized I had forgotten my badge. drip.


Morning announcements. I use a jeans pass to "patch" the hole in the cup. You can guess how well that worked. drip.

A teacher stopped me in the hall to discuss the schedule for the next two weeks. My schedule is so full I have no idea how to respond. drip. drip.

Returning to my room, I decide to tape the cup. Pleased with becoming a drip stopper, I begin to respond to emails. Lifting my coffee cup to my lips. drip.

The new calendar that I just finished updating sitting below my cup. drip.

That's it, my coffee goes sailing into the trash. drip. 

Realization that I threw my coffee away before I was fully awake sets in. drip.

Now I am left coffee-less. I debate reaching in an getting my cup back out of the trashcan, drip.

I stop for a second allowing my exhaustion to set in and find myself feeling... blessed.

You see, without the occasional drip in life, we wouldn't fully appreciate the little things. You can focus on the drips, but you will be missing out on so many wonderful little things.

Let's try this again....

I woke up this morning cuddled up with my daughter who had been frightened by the storms. Morning cuddles, blessed.

Before my phone rang, I had 15 minutes of quality conversation with my child, blessed.

After drop off I called my wife who immediately answered and helped me talk through some feelings...blessed. 

When I realized I had forgotten my badge there were 2 people walking in behind me that had their badges, blessed.

Morning announcements made me laugh, blessed.

My calendar could be reprinted, but I kind of like this one with a drip... it reminds me that I am blessed.

My coffee is in the trash, but we have a coke machine that is fully stocked and accepts credit cards, blessed.

Truth be told, my coffee was a bit flat today anyways.

Anyone else having a drip kind of day? Take time to recognize all of the blessings shining through the drips.