I haven't been at school for 2 days (Monday and Tuesday) because I was at SIS training. So, Wednesday was super busy. To top it off, I had to meet the painter for my home remodel at 5pm. I live 30 minutes from my school. And then I get the 4pm call.
We were having a district-wide CCSS day on Thursday. I am in charge of the math committee for 7-12. I had worked with my facilitator and we had planned the day. I also worked with my Assist Superintendent to set up the ELA/History workshop for the day. I was set to go. And then I get the 4pm call.
In my former life, before I crossed over to the dark side (administration) I was a Middle school science and math teacher. So, the idea of the Next Generation Science Standards were interesting to me. I thought that integrated science in the middle school makes so much sense and would help students understand science better. However, I had not spent much time with the standards and hadn't even read them through. My life had been about CCSS math and ELA. And then I get the 4pm call.
So, the 4pm call. My awesome Assist. Superintendent calls and says she needs me to run NGSS science training for middle school tomorrow. My thoughts were "What? Are you kidding me? I have a painter in an hour! I don't have time for this! I already did my thing, ask someone else." Luckily, my filter was on and none of that came out of my mouth.
Fast forward 24 hours to 4pm Thursday, I finish my NGSS presentation to the jr high science teachers. I feel they walked away with a better understanding of design, expectations, changes is instruction and came up with good next steps. It was very successful. I could barely remember my stress from that 4pm call!
The pearl of wisdom, it is about relationships and people. My assist sup knew she could ask and I would say yes. I knew that most of the science teachers need help and I could lead them. I knew my people could take care of the school so I could work on this. And my painter was understanding on why I didn't have my colors chosen yet!
Ah, there's the rub: it is often those who are most capable who are asked to do more--and more--and more. Once the word is out that you are a buff girl who can do most anything...why, then, let's ask her to do most everything! Your kids, your teachers, your district colleagues--they are the richer for it, and one would hope that periodically they say so.
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