Principal Connections

The one thing I miss a lot about being a classroom teacher is all the wonderful PD opportunities. I love to learn, so there was never any moaning and groaning from me when there were workshops and in-services to attend. As a VP, we have some opportunities made available but we are constantly fighting against time. There just isn't any. It's hard enough to carve out time to eat lunch much less set aside a whole morning or afternoon, even though I would really like to. In the last 5 years, the only trouble with PD, apart from the lack of time to attend, is that it doesn't always meet the needs of administrators, especially since the needs of our schools are so different. PD needs to be rooted in an immediate need and for principals and vice principals, those needs are defined by their own school communities. Yes, there are "big picture issues" that affect us all and in those cases, it would be great to have presentations from associations like CPCO and OCT or even...

I hate confrontation. People who know me think that it's absolutely hilarious that I have the job that I have, especially since I encounter confrontation and conflict practically on a daily basis. I'm not laughing about that, trust me - especially when it comes to having those "courageous" conversations, whether it's with a teacher on staff or a parent. I've been thinking about the reasons why perhaps some administrators experience a little anxiety over the prospect of having these kinds of conversations and I've narrowed down my educated guesses to the following, in no particular order: 1. the need to be liked 2. fear of the unknown, namely the reaction of the individual 3. the desire to avoid the involvement of the union 4. physical and mental exhaustion 5. trying to find "the right time" 6. second guessing of one's own judgment If we don't have these conversations, the repercussions are worse, I think than any of the reasons...

Tonight was Parent Teacher Interview and for the last few years, our Parent Council has paid for a staff dinner that is prepared by the students in our Hospitality program. This is so great on so many levels: 1. The appreciation shown by our Parent Council towards our staff goes a long way. 2. Eating a meal that is prepared by kids gives them a sense of pride and validation. 3. The ritual of sitting down and breaking bread together, if only a couple of times a year, is a very intimate way to build a strong sense of community with staff. Tonight, our Admin team decided to up the ante by serving. I think it's good to for staff to see Administrators showing their gratitude and respect for teachers and all that they do through simple acts of humility. Kind of takes the idea of servant leadership to a different level. It was a great experience and I'm looking forward to doing it again. Having the outfit helps!

Today I spent the afternoon with my "mentee". I've been asked to mentor a new Vice Principal, T. I'm kind of nervous and excited and wondering what on earth can I offer this lovely woman??? We participated in a large group PD session and she asked me to hang back after it was over. We chatted about how her first few months in the role have been going. She was very clear that she had no regrets and was really enjoying the role. A lot of stories that she recounted were so familiar and her feelings and reflections certainly struck a chord with me. I could tell almost instantaneously that her heart was crafted for this position. She seems to be getting a handle on the knowledge as time goes on but she is rightly motivated. She is going to be a great advocate for kids. It's going to be my privilege to listen and ask or answer questions. I'm excited about checking in with her to see how she's doing. I'm honoured at how receptive she is to feedback beyond her...

Today is Remembrance Day. I've always been a proponent of this day being a stat holiday because of the significance of what and who we are remembering. I think I'm beginning to change my mind. Each year, Canadian schools prepare observances of some sort that often involve some pageantry, a member of the armed forces who comes to speak to the kids and in our case as a Catholic school, an offering of prayers of thanksgiving for those who have gone before us to secure our freedom and those who so courageously have taken up that cross to do the same today. If not for this opportunity that kids get at school, would they take the time at 11am to sit in quiet contemplation? Would they care? I'm reminded of a video that I think I have shown every year that I have been in education. Do you know "Pittance of Time" by Terry Kelly? The song is based on a true story and video so beautifully illustrates it: As time goes on, what and who we remember evolves. The First World...

There's nothing like a short-handed Friday... What can go wrong does. Trying to juggle a teacher evaluation in the middle of it all. Students are crying because of this drama or that and their mothers presenting themselves to defend their honour... You try to find humour and you end up shaking your head more often than not. Today was fun. My partner and I got called up to a classroom because there was an "intruder". We get to the class and see that there is a supply teacher in charge (fantastic...), every other kid out of uniform, one full-out snoring under a hoodie... and one who doesn't even go to our school! Yes, a complete stranger managed to find his way into the building and decided to "hang out" with his friend and thought it was perfectly ok. When we hauled him out into the hallway I asked him why I shouldn't call police. He was shaking and beginning to tear a bit so we escorted him out and told him not to come back. I called over to his high s...