Overwhelmed

Today I am overwhelmed. We met with our AEA representative yesterday. She laid out all the things our team needs to be thinking about and working on over the next year. It's a big laundry list and it reaffirms that the work I'm trying to do is worthwhile and needed. Some of this work is easy-making sure the right tools get into the right hands so teachers can be effective. Some of the work is not so easy-supporting teachers so they can use the tools the right way and use them consistently, looking at data (which isn't bad but it certainly isn't good) and making decisions, knowing what teams to call together and how to find time for them to meet so they can accomplish goals, and helping those teachers who just can't see that change is needed. Luckily we have support from our AEA, from our superintendent, and from the principals. Most of our teachers seem willing to try new things in order to improve because it will be good for our students. I'm fortunate to work with a fantastic staff that works hard and cares about our kids. So although I feel like I have sunk to the bottom of the Coaching Waters, I'll slowly swim to the top gulp in a big mouthful of fresh air and dive back down into the waters. This is our time to make things better. This is our time to make a bigger difference than we have been. This is our time to go for the gold.

On a lighter note here are some things I have learned this week:
1. Bats like to hang out in the high school. Luckily we have a mighty maintenance staff that are versed at catch and release.
2. If you think you might need your umbrella...you do.
3. Be careful when taking the lasagna out of the oven because melted cheese is really hard to clean up when you drop the pan all over the oven door and the floor. It's also very slippery when you step in it and cats don't like to eat it.