leaders | Welcome To My World

Self Reflection

While working on schedules for Hybrid model for the upcoming new academic school year, I get a WhatsApp message from my principal asking “Would you mind doing a reflection for the bulletin this week?” Here I was a little bit confused and thought we had to write what we usually write and asked if that’s what she meant. Clearly I was wrong and she replied back with “ Not your usual. A reflection of your year. What did you enjoy about virtual school and what did you learn about yourself as a leader?” I quickly replied back with absolutely NOT and I got a thank you back. I lost all concentration on schedules and my mind started wondering about her two questions. I let it sink and thought about it a lot. I didn’t write anything down till the next day. I remember thinking about it before I fell asleep.

Next morning I got to the office and started typing away…

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Deadlines!

In high school I was all about meeting the deadlines! I am not a last minute person nor do I procrastinate. I made sure I planned it out and gave myself my own deadline and that was normally 2 days before the original date. There were probably only two times when I was in highschool/university that maybe I couldn’t meet a deadline and asked for an extension and I absolutely hated that. I remember going to my professor and asking him for an extra day, just ONE DAY! I remember I was sweating and couldn’t sleep the night before.

Being in the working world and needing to be organized and having deadlines makes a huge difference. I remember as a Grade Level Leader when I had my meetings I used to give my team 2 days before the original deadline that was given to me by my principal. You are probably wondering why? As a GLL I had to make sure that I had time to go through everything before handing it in to my principal. After all, I was representing the grade 3 team and did not want anyone speaking about us. I wanted to ensure that we got nothing but positive feedback at all times. I remember one of the Grade Level Leader’s asked me once, “How do you manage getting everything in on time or before your deadline?” I simply answered with, “I create a plan for my team, divide it between everyone and then give a deadline 2 days before the original one. This way it gives you time to go through it and turn it in the day before the deadline.” She smiled and applied it on her team and it worked.

Now as an AP this makes more sense than ever and shows your department is on top of everything. I don’t have a team of 7 but a team of 30+ educators. My principal is all about meeting the deadlines and always gives me PLENTY of time to work on my tasks. I remember recently she asked for something and did not give me a deadline to when she needed the documents and when I asked she brushed it off and never gave me an answer. I remember that I felt lost and went crazy, I felt like I was left hanging! So I emailed my staff and gave them my own deadline not knowing if it was too early or late. A simple deadline makes all the difference. It organizes everyone around you and you’re always on top of everything. I give my staff plenty of time to work on a task and never last minute tasks with a deadline. I expect they meet the deadline in a professional manner.

Some might agree with me and some might disagree with me which is fine. But trust me when I say giving your team a deadline makes a huge difference. It shows that you are organized, on top of it and no one slacks off. I assure you that things get done the minute you assign them a deadline. Try it!

Phones: An addiction or a must?

Recently I was sitting with my principal and KG AP. We were having lunch before Parent conferences in my principal’s office. I had left my phone in my office. It was the last 45 minutes of the day. What could possibly go wrong? What emergency could take place?!

We were chit chatting about the days event and catching up. I looked at both ladies and said, “I feel naked without my phone.” My principal looked at me in shock and couldn’t believe the words that just came out of my mouth and that I really didn’t have my phone on me. She finally replied “WHAT? You don’t? You’re addicted to that phone!” I replied back and said “It’s the 21^st century, everyone is addicted to their phones, don’t just say it is me. I need it in school because there are so many staff members messaging me asking for me to come really quickly to their class or to tell me something that has happened with a parent.” My staff know they can count on me.

Two days ago, I went to the bathroom and got stopped 3 times and didn’t get back to my office till 30 minutes later and I had 3 missed calls and 10 messages. This time round I purposefully left it because I needed a 15-minute break. She replied back, “You are addicted. I know I can message you at any given time of day when you are awake, and you will answer within a few minutes.” I paused and knew she was right. But does that mean I am addicted? Is it only me? There are so many weekends especially on a Friday I do disconnect and do not answer my phone messages or emails. A 15-minute break turned out to be a 30-minute break. I went back to my office and I kid you not, I had 3 missed calls and 20 messages. Only 1 was an emergency and the rest could wait. Yes, I might be on my phone BUT it’s definitely not for fun or chit chatting with my friends. It is all work related and being there for my staff and helping them out. Is that wrong?

In today’s world I have yet to see someone that is not on their phones nor not answering back. We do need time to switch off and disconnect. Otherwise work will eat us up alive. After this Inclusive and Wellness conference I attended, I am definitely switching off more during the weekends and taking a 20-minute break from my phone during the school day. As they said, self-care and wellbeing is very important. I need to take care of MYSELF and wellbeing before being able to take care of my staff.