Measurement day was finally here… I was convinced and was sure my numbers were lower from last month! I was SURE my weight had changed. I woke up and got on the scale. I shut my eyes and was scared to look down! When I finally did I was in SHOCK. I wanted to scream and cry! I got off the scale and got back on to make sure what I saw was true. I did that three times! And all three times I saw the same number! I did NOT go down half a kilo, 1 kilo or 2 kilos! I WAS THE EXACT SAME weight I was when Ondrej last measured me! I was so MAD, annoyed name it… So I thought to myself ok this means my measurements would at least be down! I knew I had gained muscles but figured I’d be down in inches! I remember I had NO appetite for breakfast that day.
Tag: PLN
Staff Appreciation
While sitting on the balcony enjoying the beautiful weather and working, I suddenly came up with an idea. I wanted to do something different. I didn’t do this last summer nor the summer before. I decided that I wanted to send a message to every staff member to check in on them and their families and to wish them a great rest of the break before starting a new year in August. I mean there is no harm to wish them well and to show them that I am thinking about them. I wish I had a camera to see their reaction as I was very curious!
I started sending my messages a few nights ago. Each night I would send the same message to at least 10 staff members of mine but of course changed their names. The message was as simple as this: “Hi (name) How are you? Just wanted to check in. Hope you are enjoying your last stretch of your vacation and your family are all well. See you soon.” It was as simple as that. There was nothing to it right? As for my Arabic and Religion staff, I sent them each a voice note in Arabic saying the exact same thing I wrote in English. I had informed my principal that this is what I was doing and showed her the message and she loved it.
The reactions and messages I got were so worth it. They thanked me. Some were shocked and surprised and thought, Uh-oh my AP is messaging, whats up? Some thought that it was such a sweet gesture. Some replied, “Wow I never got this, thank you.” Their responses surely put a smile on my face.
If you know me, you know that my staff comes first. Their well being and happiness is what I truly care about. It is important for me that they know that I am always there to support them. I am so happy this idea popped into my head and I followed through with it. I have now sent out my message out to all my staff. I made sure to have a checklist to ensure that I left NO ONE out!
It’s the small things a leader can do to show their staff how much they are appreciated!
As a leader what have you done over the summer to show you appreciate your staff?
Behavior Support Plan (BSP)
One of the very first questions my principal asked me was, “What does ES need after being an AP for a year?” So many things started running through my head and I didn’t know where to begin or what to say. I listed four or five things and then she asked, “Which one is the most important one you think that needs immediate action?” I immediately responded with, “a behavior plan.”
A Decision
This year I followed through with a decision I had in mind last year. Admin decided, that we would take soccer away as a consequence since it was causing so many problems. Once I got the green light, I went ahead and sent out the email to all the duty teachers letting them know that there will be NO soccer for 1 week for grades 3 and 4.
Change
As many of you know and read in my June blog posts, my old principal left and a new one came. When it comes to international schools and education there is always a turn over with either staff or admin/leadership. With that being said there are always changes when someone new enters admin.
My question is, why is it a fight or really hard for some to accept a simple change? Why are people hesitant to give chances and trust the process? I feel that the ones who always have barriers are the ones who do not want to improve professionally or be risk takers and try something that they are NOT used to.
New Staff Check-in
The first week of the school year has passed. My new staff completed their first week with their students and had the opportunity to meet the parents. I usually meet with the new staff at the end of the first week for 15 minutes to check in and ask a few questions. However, after reading John Wink’s article on “5 Alternatives to Asking New Teachers How They’re Doing” I was excited to try a different approach. While reading this article, I realized how much I related to it. He described what I normally ask my staff, whether they are old or new. “Hi how are you? Or “Hi how’s it going?” He stated that when we ask those types of questions, it does not give us any indication on how they are truly doing. So instead, he states to ask specific questions.
Guest Speaker
A month and a half ago Kimberly from University of Washington found me on Twitter. She reached out to me asking if I would be a guest speaker to talk about about Kuwait’s education, the everyday life in Kuwait and about my personal life. I gasped when I read her email and automatically replied back saying that I would love to. I was very nervous but knew that this would be a great opportunity.
Admin life never ENDS!
I recently tweeted a few weeks ago the following statement: “Admin life does not end on the last day of school.” A few people responded privately saying, “I am glad I am not the only one that thinks this” or “ That is so true!” I smiled as I read them and replied.There is no such thing as a vacation when taking on a role in admin. We might not be on campus but we are surely working, thinking or reading. I am glad I wasn’t the only one feeling or thinking that way.
Teacher Life vs. Admin Life
Being a classroom teacher for 10 years gave me the control of my own class. Each year I cared and loved for 23 students and their parents. I worried whether all of my students were learning and aimed to give my undivided attention to those who were struggling. I planned for 23 students keeping in mind those who needed the extra help. I worried each time I would give a summative, for those who would not do well and worried about their parents reaction.
Reflecting on my first year as an AP
For the last twelve days I have been reflecting over the past school year. I have completed my first year as an AP and I felt as if I was on a roller coaster. There were many ups and downs and I found myself going round and round.
Thinking back on the year there are some things that I would do differently. In the moment, it’s difficult to analyze all situations. I don’t think anyone even with years of experience would have an answer for everything. Being in education there isn’t a day that repeats itself. There is never a dull moment because you are always on your toes.