Doing the best I can.....

Goals are something we all should have.  I have many, many goals in life, whether personally or professionally, and of course some of them I've reached and others I haven't.  As I think of my goal for this school year I wonder if I should make short-term and long-term goals, monthly vs weekly goals etc...  I work best with the "big picture" in mind so I've decided that my over-arching goal is going to be:  Do the best I can every day with what I have and not stress about the rest.

That may seem simplistic, but for me I need to realize that I can only do, what I can do, with what I have (say that 3X really fast).  My goal is to do my job to the best of my ability each day, and not get so worked up when technology doesn't work, when I can't solve problems right away, and when staff members are short on patience with me.  Stressing over all this stuff doesn't make things better, in fact, I feel a lot worse and consequently get less done.

Simplistic goal?  I don't think so.  Realistic goal?  I think so.  I guess I'll know after I start stressing, right?  I plan to share my goal with others so hopefully when I'm stressing out they can remind me---that I'm doing the best I can with what I have---and maybe, just maybe, I can help them likewise.

....and we're off!

It's the first day of teacher inservice today.  Who wants to start getting up early again? But, at the same time there is a sense of anticipation.  Seeing all your colleagues.  Listening to what everyone has done over the summer.  Discussing what types of lessons and activities everyone is hoping to try in their classroom.
I had the opportunity to sit in on a staff meeting with a new principal.  I loved his positivity!  Is that even a word?  That's what kept coming to mind as he was discussing his expectations etc with the staff.  Every word that came out of his mouth was about being positive, belonging to the school family and being a team with each other and the students.  WOW!  It's was inspiring to hear his enthusiasm, his vision for the staff, students and parents as a school family.  I hope that as the year continues I can remember this feeling of, "I want to work here!"  I am excited to see how students respond to this positive atmosphere.
I was also able to take time to collaborate with a colleague on possible activities for her classroom.  I LOVED IT!  Really, who has (or takes) the time to sit down with colleagues to talk about potential activities for the classroom without worrying about grading papers, recess duties, the next class coming in etc.....?  Three hours later we had a lot of possibilities written down, a lot of possibilities rejected and a whole lot of enthusiasm running through our veins! If this type of collaboration could be done on a consistent basis,  just think of all the great activities/lessons that could be generated!  Think of the rejuvenating effects this could have on a person during those "tough times" throughout the year!  Imagine all the possibilities......
Well it might be a week or two, or a month or two until I can participate in this type of collaboration again, but until then.....I'll relish the friendship, the ideas generated, and of course the laughter had today!  Let the year commence!