What Does Your Classroom Feel Like?

When I enter your classroom, I come in as an outsider.
I am a "district person".

What does your classroom feel like?

Some classrooms are quiet.

Some classrooms are noisy.

Some classrooms are full of concentration.

Some classrooms are full of smiles.

Some classrooms glance up and wave as I come in.

Some classrooms glance up and look anxious as I come in.

Some classrooms are orderly.

Some classrooms are chaotic.

Some classrooms are busy.

Some classrooms are bored.

Some classrooms answer, excitedly explaining their work to me when I ask questions.

Some classrooms answer, mumbling a few words to me when I ask questions.

Some classrooms feel full and crowded.

Some classrooms feel empty and spacious.

What does your classroom feel like?

All of these classrooms have merit.

I am not here to judge.

I am merely here to join in your classroom.

I am here to support what you are doing.

I am here to encourage.

I am here to reflect back to you the good that I see, because we teachers are our own worst critics.

I am here to help you reflect.

I am here to gently prod you to consider a new idea.

I am here to pass on what I have learned from other classrooms, because I have the privilege of seeing different classrooms each week.

What does your classroom feel like to me?

Please make me feel welcome.

This week, I have enjoyed being in many different classrooms. It always warms my heart to feel welcomed and included - that feeling of home away from home is one of the things I miss the most about having my own class. Whatever your classroom feels like, please make it welcoming to everyone who enters - from a new student to a visiting administrator! That is the best gift we can give!

String Camp & The Unexpected

This past week, I had the pleasure of accompanying almost 100 middle school students to String Camp, an overnight field trip in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. It was a great trip! However, driving down the mountain, I realized that it was not what I had expected.

I had expected to be hit with a pang of missing music, of missing teaching.
I had expected to be overjoyed to be jumping back into my old "music teacher" world again.
I had expected to savor and treasure those little "kid moments" - the little comments and thoughts that aren't really that important, but mean so much.

But that didn't happen. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, and really engaged while I was up there! But, if I'm 100% honest, I missed focusing on my ed tech work. It was the first time that I was in a "music" situation and felt more like an ed tech specialist than a music teacher. Not because I didn't like it, not because I didn't feel confident, but mostly because I am excited about the work I am doing now!

There's a kind of a sort of cost

There's a couple of things get lost

There are bridges you cross

You didn't know you crossed

Until you've crossed

~"Thank Goodness" from Wicked (the musical)

I've blogged about my transition from teaching to being in ed tech - the ups and the downs - but somehow, this felt like a big step. I know that I will always be a music teacher, but I am in a different place now. And I have mixed feelings about that! Primarily, I'm happy to (finally) be so content in my job, but it is tinged with a feeling of loss.

As I continue to cross bridges, I hope that I will always be able to look back with fond memories and look ahead with excitement to the future!

*These are the full lyrics that have been running through my mind -
the section above is just an excerpt*

That's why I couldn't be happier

No, I couldn't be happier

Though it is, I admit

The tiniest bit

Unlike I anticipated

But I couldn't be happier

Simply couldn't be happier

Well—not "simply":

Cause getting your dreams

It's strange, but it seems

A little—well—complicated

There's a kind of a sort of cost

There's a couple of things get lost

There are bridges you cross

You didn't know you crossed

Until you've crossed

And if that joy, that thrill

Doesn't thrill you like you think it will

Still—

With this perfect finale

The cheers and the ballyhoo

Who?

Wouldn't be happier?

So I couldn't be happier

Because happy is what happens

When all your dreams come true

Well, isn't it?

Happy is what happens

When all your dreams come true!

PLN in Real Life!

Before I got on Twitter, I could never understand how PLN connections could grow so strong. We're only interacting over the computer, right? In the past year and a half, I have had my mind blown and world expanded as I have truly made friends from all over the world.

Lunch with friends - PLN IRL :-)

This past week, I was able to take a vacation to visit some of my PLN friends in real life!

The short story: It was amazing!

The longer story: Over the past year or so, @msventurnio, @meagan_e_kelly, and I have built a friendship on Twitter. It began with holding each other accountable to having a better work-life balance, and has blossomed into so much more! They have been an amazing support system for me as we all navigate both life and a career in education.

When Mari mentioned that she had an extra ticket to Hamilton, I half-jokingly asked if I could fly out and see it with her. The joke quickly became reality, and we planed a trip for me to come visit for a few days! Along with the show, we enjoyed going to the zoo, the beach (well, sort of, as it was rainy), and just hanging out together.

Hamilton - if you get the chance,
DEFINITELY go see this show!

Zoo! Animals!

Here's the thing: I get that it's a little weird to fly to a different state to hang out with someone you've never actually met before. And I know it's important to teach our kids to be safe and cautious online. But I never want us to be so fearful of the bad that we miss out on the powerful good that can come through connecting! The conversations I have had through my PLN have completely enriched my life as an educator and as a person. I wouldn't trade it for the world! Every time I go to a conference, I enjoy meeting people who I have interacted with online, and deepening our relationship.

PLN friendships are real. Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise. I came back from this trip feeling so refreshed - partially because I was on vacation, but also because I was able to relax and hang out with friends (thank you so much for hosting me, Mari!). I'm grateful for all of my PLN friends and look forward to meeting many more of you over the years - but, at the same time, I know that our friendships are already strong because of what we do every day!

#oneword2018: Integrity

INTEGRITY

A person of integrity walks the talk
and keeps her word regardless of the consequences.

(Definition from FOCUS International)

If there's anything I've learned through my leadership journey of the past year, it is that sometimes doing the right thing is hard. I've thought a lot about how positions of leadership come with great responsibility, because leaders have the potential to impact lots of people through their actions. I have also felt a temptation at times to back down, to disengage, or to put my head down and move along rather than truly living out my values.

Are your words and actions matching up with who you want to be?

I have had this sticky note posted on my computer for awhile now, and it is constantly challenging me. As I considered my #oneword2018, the theme that kept sticking out was to be a person of integrity, and to make the right choices in both big and small things this year. I know I won't be perfect, but I want to focus on making sure my words and actions line up with who I want to be. Please feel free to hold me accountable and join me in this journey!