Demonstrating leadership or being bossy...

This quote from the National Association of Secondary School Principals was the reminder that I needed...perfect timing...thank you!

"Leadership is about taking people to places they've never been before, and we can't go to those places without courage.  Leadership is courage in action.  Courage gives us the energy to move forward.  Courage gives us the confidence to believe we can make it.  Courage gives the strength to sustain ourselves in the darkest hours.  Courage enables us to leave a legacy that declares, "I was hear and I made a difference."  ~Kouzes & Posner

Visit this link...so worth the read/view:

http://www.govexec.com/excellence/promising-practices/2013/04/sheryl-sandberg-talks-women-leadership-and-lean-daily-show/62279/

Mother's Day...looking ahead

Good afternoon and Happy American Mother's Day!

I specify "American" since I have found out that other country's celebrate on other days, which is really quite cool.  It is a quiet Sunday here, and I am in the company of my four-legged and two-winged children right now.  Our full family celebration will take place this evening.  As a result, I have plenty of time on my hands to just think.  These days, time to think = a luxury.  

While time is winding down at my present job, I'm realizing that my time with my students is ever-so-limited.  As my thoughts race around how I will tell them that I'm not returning to their school, I'm looking ahead to my work at my new school...and I'm still pinching myself to check and see if it is actually a reality.  I am becoming more familiar with the girls as I see them several times a week.  Their smiles are becoming more relaxed, and they actually call me by name (always a good thing).  Before I know it, they will have become a part of that incredible weave that I call "my kids."  Thank you for indulging me as I look ahead at what that weave will create.  
Peace.

The rug in this image is done in the traditional style that inspired the composer Morton Feldman.  His compositional style was influenced by the uniqueness of the weave, and the fact that, although the design looks symmetrical, it always has distinct differences that are difficult to find...but they are there.  The collaborative work is a thing of beauty, but there is always a sense of individuality within it.  

Winds of change are set to blow...

Welcome to some thoughts from the side office.  Depending on your perspective, it is either a place in which a lot of paperwork gets done, an occasional student will come in for one of those "chats," or any number of other things.  

My time back in the classroom only lasted a year (a really good one, too), and I'm headed back to the side office as principal.  It has been nearly forty years since I've been in an all-girl academic environment, having graduated from my own high school back in the day.  I cherish the four years spent there, and feel so blessed to be able to share in the same type of environment with a new generation of young women.  

A heads-up on a few things: you'll see references to Broadway musicals ("Defying Gravity" from Wicked  and 'Winds of Change are set to blow...' is a quote from Pippin's "Morning Glow").  As a music director/conductor/keyboardist, Broadway musicals are a big part of my life.  If you see a certain, blue-eyed Border Collie, that would be another big part of my life by the name of Joy.  She will likely turn up where you least expect to find her.  If she had thumbs, well...we'd all be in trouble.  

I hope that you'll enjoy my posts.  I also hope that you will comment back.  Working in a community makes the efforts all the sweeter.  I welcome the opportunity to exchange ideas regarding education, school communities, and more with you.  
Peace!