A Couple Things Irking Me-How We Treat Eachother

I have been struggling recently with a picture posted on a Facebook friend's wall.  Something about it has made me feel frustrated.  I did not engage in the conversation head on because doing so in someone else's space (Social Media Wise) has always been a little unprofessional for me.  I do not know if it makes me a bad person, by not commenting, but to me I really don't think engaging in these types of discussion's in their circles is respectful to their personal space, publicly.   Here is the picture:

I don't know why in particular this made me mad over anything else I see, but it did.  We can not operate in absolutes.  The system does not work that way.  This picture and scenario is not an either/or or an exclusive one with the other.  We are better than this.

Fast forward 5ish days and I read this story today.  #IStandwithAhmed Link

We may say these are two separate issues.  When this story broke I felt myself even more frustrated with this picture.  It is these types of pictures that run rampant and are left unchecked, that cause situations like Ahmed Mohamed to occur.  I'm sure I do not have all the information in the story, but it is still a sad day for our children.  We have to do better.  We can do better.

In closing, I hope to do better of my self and engage in these conversations in places that make me uncomfortable, because they need to happen.  I'm sorry that Ahmed has to deal with this struggle while I'm left watching from thousands of miles away.  We should never have to stifle a child for their excitement or creativity.  I hope that this young innovator and inventor never stops.  I'm excited to hear what his next story will be.  Go get'm kid.

Beginning of the Year

Beginning of the Year

I really want to formally reflect more.  I'm hoping that this will provide me a chance to at least kick it off.  I do not have early week morning meetings, yet.  With this time, I want to take a chance to document some mental reflections.  The next year is going to be interesting.  I have taken on some additional professional responsibility as well as welcoming my third child to the mix.  I'm worried after my son is born I won't have energy to reflect, but if I start now it will help establish a more deliberate process.  I'm going to do my best to write but not concern with grammar and editing.  Sorry if that bothers you.

School Year Kick Off

My secret favorite part of the new year is freshly waxed floors and new year smell.  Everything about are buildings are primed and ready for the students and staff to enter, marking the beginning of a new year. 

For me this first week will involve a lot of repeat as I'm on a four day rotation cycle.  It is important that I work on keeping it as fun and interesting the fourth time through as it was the first time through.  The excitement level is a buzz in the building as small changes happen and it is just enough to keep the students guessing on how the building expectations have changed.

With my third child's due date September 30th, I hope to get through enough curriculum to provide the building blocks of routine for my sub which will be in for about 8-10 school days during my leave.

PLC Process

My District continues to work its way through the Professional Learning Communities process.  I feel the key stakeholders are coming around, but a lot of work needs to continue.  I will be interesting as my personnel work groups do the best we can with the set up we have been given. 

Personal

The clock is ticking.  September 30th! OMG 3 children.  Zone Coverage.  On the non-freak-out side, we are near ready.  It is going to make for an interesting year.