Mentor Program #SAVMP #EdBDaily

I am setting up a mentoring program for my teachers in our building.  I loved having a mentor but disliked the need for an extra meeting.  I've decided to edit our staff meeting schedule to include PLC and Mentor time as well as a full staff meeting.  It's exciting, but I'm afraid it might be too much.

We have 5 returning teachers and 4 new teachers in our building.  One of the returning teachers is heading our iPad pilot program so she will not be a part.  The other 4 returning teachers will be mentoring the 4 new teachers.  I am very excited for this, but our school does not have a program set up so I'm starting from scratch.  A little nervous - any help would be appreciated!

Suggestions???

A Gentle Nudge #SAVMP #EdBDaily

Remembering to sit down and reflect can be so difficult in this job - and for good reason!  There are SO many things happening at the beginning of the year; standardized testing, students getting used to the classes, enforcing dress code, reminders of our processes, conferences with parents - the list goes on and on.

I find myself thinking through most of the day of all of the amazing things I could and should be doing, and also thinking of purely what I NEED to be doing.  All the while, I'm thinking about what happening through the day, how it could have been handled better, and what to watch for next time.

My #PrincipalCast crew (@PrincipalJ and @DrSpikeCook) have been chatting with me on #Voxer (http://www.voxer.com).  It's a great place to air concerns, reflect on ideas and discuss challenges.  It's nice to have a "safe place" to talk about the craziness of administration, but I think writing it down is just as important.

Our #SAVMP program has been kind of a bust for my group - not many of them are very in to Twitter, but I have created my own support group with principals I have found on Twitter, podcasts, blogs, etc.  It's nice to feel like we're not alone!

Thank you to all who continuously support me no matter how boring my blog posts or how mundane the situation.  I appreciate it ALL and think the world of each and every one of you.  Blessings on an amazing weekend!

Introducing PrincipalCast!

This is a guest post from Jessica Johnson regarding our new #PrincipalCast.  Thanks, Jessica!

Podcasts have been a great tool for my personal professional learning, because it’s so easy to download and just listen while I’m getting ready in the morning, cleaning the house, walking the dog or in the car. I share with you several of the podcasts that I listen to on my Podcasts Page. For several years I enjoyed listening to the Practical Principals podcast, was sad that it discontinued and that I couldn’t really find any other podcast with principals that filled that void.

Principal Theresa Stager invited me to help her start a Principals Podcast, which we also invited Principal Dr. Spike Cook in on. Our first live podcast was quite interesting with many tech glitches, so Jeff Bradbury at TeacherCast.net offered to pick us up under his broadcasting network.

You can now find the #PrincipalCast Podcast live every Sunday night at 8:30 PM CST on teachercast.tv. You can join in the discussion on the chat box of that site or tweet using #principalcast in your tweet.

Each week we will be using the following format for our agenda:

• What’s been happening?
• Question from the newbie (new principal) or a hot topic for principals.
• Something awesome
• Keeping Current
• Principals to Follow on Twitter

You can find the #Principalcast Podcast at principalcast.com Other ways to follow/connect with the podcast:

• Email info@principalcast.com
• Use the hashtag #principalcast on Twitter
• Follow @PrincipalCast on Twitter

Everything Happens for a Reason?

In the last week, I have had more staff turnover than I care to admit.  My admin is leaving due to home obligations, my music teacher has decided she can't teach my band (a brand new program in the school) and a whole host of other things.  It's been a very, very long week.

A few of my colleagues have reminded me that everything happens for a reason, it's not the people but the process, etc., etc.  It's true, but it's still difficult to handle as a first-year administrator.  I feel like I'm so exhausted learning the process of my own position, let alone the process of hiring more people and teaching them their positions.  Not to mention the good people we're losing.  I have never been one who was good with saying goodbye, so this is a part of the job that will be difficult for me.  Sometimes it feels like everything is piling up around me!


Luckily, everything does happen for a reason and everything WILL work out.  I truly believe this.  "God only gives you what you can handle."

I sometimes wish he didn't trust me so much!