Planning for "I don't know"...

As a district curriclum supervisor, my plate has definitely been full during the recent school closures. 

March was busy working with staff to navigate and learn online platforms for remote learning. determining what parts of the curriculum would be the focus of remote learning, and supporting staff as they began to design and craft their virtual learning sites and lessons. 

April rolled around and things shifted to supporting virtual lessons and platforms, working out the kinks with technology, and making sure staff had the resources and materials required to successfully meet the needs of students...the best they could in a virtual environment. 

Let me pause for a moment to say how amazing teachers, librarians, guidance counselors, therapists, CST, and all school personnel have been making things work. They have liteally built this plane of virtual learning while flying it...no small feat!

Now we're into May and it's time to plan for the 20-21 school year. It's time to plan for curriculum, instruction, assessments and professional development. It's time prepare class lists and order materials and resources that will be needed to deliver the curriculum.  This is something I do every May and June. It's become routine.

The problem is, we have no idea what we are planning for this time. 

We're looking at curriculum, resources, class lists, teacher assignments, and ordering, but the answer to questions posed is always "I don't know". Will students and staff be back in school to full capacity? Will we continue with remote learning? Will there be a hybrid of the two? Is there a chance we could come back for a time and then need to be out for a time and return to remote learning? 

I don't know.

How do we properly prepare for "I don't know"?

How do we ensure that we'll be able to first and foremost support our students through the 20-21 school year? 

We're all working hard to plan, but the truth is that we just don't know what the coming weeks, months and year will bring for our schools. 

This is something that can keep you up at night. I worry about our students, staff and families. Education is all about the kids. How can we best do our job as educators in a current world of "I don't know"? 

Hopefully time will tell us sooner than later.

In the meantime, I'll keep learning, working, planning and supporting for "I don't know". ..while reminding myself that everything is going to be alright...eventually. 

A Reflection on Quarantine and Emojis

Yesterday I woke up and realized that I had been socially distancing for four weeks. 
Four weeks...it seems like a lifetime has gone by. So much about our world has changed in such a short time. 

I was texting yesterday...something I do with much more frequency as it has become one of the few links to connect with friends and family. 
I like emojis. Those who know me, know I love to send emojis, bitmojis and GIFs with my text messages. I send very few without them. 
What struck me yesterday, aside from marking four weeks of social distancing, was the order of the emojis on my keyboard. The first few emojis that come up on my keyboard...the ones I use the most...are always the smiling face, thumbs up, heart, and LOL. I was taken aback to notice that the sad face had now taken over as my most-used emoji. 

The sad face.

My top-used Emojis on Friday morning, April 10

It says a lot about how I've been feeling and the conversations I have been having lately. It was a moment that caused me to reflect.
We are all experiencing the ups and downs of being isolated. Some days are better than others. We hope. We pray. I continually remind myself of all that I am grateful for throughout this pandemic; and  believe me that list is long. 

So why has the sad face taken over?

In this crazy, unpredictable world, this is one thing I can control. This is something I need to control. 
What I've learned through all of this is that we need to lean on each other more than ever. We need to check in on friends and family frequently to lift each other up on the challenging days. Everyone is dealing in their own way and everyone has their own challenges to face. 
So, send text messages (with happy emojis), call, Factime, Zoom, write letters and cards. Let others know you are thinking about them and make the little things count. 

We're all in this together and together we will get through it. 

Sunday, April 12...Getting Better!

#OneWord2020- STRENGTH

It's January...time to reflect on the progress towards goals set for 2019 and look to set new goals for 2020.

My OneWord for 2019 was CHALLENGE, and in a blog I wrote last January I shared the challenges

My words beautifully illustrated by my friend Heather 💗

I was hoping to face for the year and how I hoped my One Word would guide and motivate my journey.
I set challenges that were both personal and professional.

"Personally, I want to challenge myself to turn 50 healthy and strong. This requires me to get back to regular exercise, something that has been missing due to injuries over the past few years. No Excuses." 

Hmmm...I didn't do so well with my personal goals 🙄 My weekly FitBit challenges helped a bit, along with getting a puppy to walk. I still have a LONG way to go towards this, though. I'll get to that in my 2020 goals.

"My CHALLENGE also comes professionally, as I want to expand upon my accomplishments of 2018 by continuing to be an active part of my PLN (#4OCFpln), continuing to read, write and publish, presenting professional development both in and out of district, continually challenging myself in my leadership position as I work to serve the students and staff in my district, and being open to accepting new challenges as they present themselves."

My biggest professional accomplishments occured when I became a published author...four times in 2019! I am so proud of this and am eternally grateful to those who gave me the opportinitues to contribute to their books; Rachelle Dene Poth, Kristen Nan, and Dr. Jacie Maslyk.

     

I also challenged myself professionally through professional development presentations, reading,  and

My First Published Article!

attending national conferneces. I was fortunate to spend a week in Philadelphia with my PLN at ISTE19...and we even presented!

My PLN Presenting at ISTE19

I presented an Ignite Session at a summer administrative retreat, ran sessions at a few EdCamps, and presented professional development sessions at the district level.  I also had so much fun connecting and meeting up with former students as part of my blog series! 

So, in terms of "Challenge" for 2019, I am happy with how I rose to it, but also feel the need to

ASCD Conference in DC

continue along this path and push myself further beyond my comfort level.

So bring in my OneWord for 2020.....STRENGTH!

I feel that STRENGTH is an offspring of CHALLENGE. In 2020, I am looking to find my inner-strength and continue to push myself into the uncomfortable, still challenging myself while finding the strength to meet each challenge.

 I'd like to better meet the personal challenges I set for myself in 2019, and strength will definitely be needed to bury the excuses. Professionally, I want to continue with my writing and presenting, moving beyond my circle of comfort. I also need to be better at meeting uncomfortable conversations head-on, choosing courage over comfort.

I am looking for the STRENGTH to be brave, adventurous, strong, and courageous...to own my story. 

I am looking forward to 2020 and moving from CHALLENGE to STRENGTH. Bring it on!