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For the last two months, I have been mostly underground (not literally): no blogging, few tweets (other than RTs), and lots of time at home. I've been reluctant to do much.
You see, I am no longer a principal. I left Spofford Pond School at the end of June and have been looking for a principalship since the spring. I've applied and interviewed throughout the area, but did get any job offers. In fact, the final principal position that I came across in New England is now gone for me. So, after three years as a principal, four years as an assistant principal, and seven years as a Social Studies and English teacher, I spent September at home - not in school.
There have been wonderful benefits to being at home. Most benefits revolve around my children who are 18 months and 5 years (doesn't everything seem to revolve around children? Shouldn't it?). I have spent so many hours with both children that it just might make up for all of the time I used to spend focusing on school. I have also been able to give my wife the gift of time to pursue her interests in ways that were tough while caring for the little ones without me around so much. In the last few months, my wife has grown her business and become a fantastic bread baker.
Although I haven't been very productive in the world of education recently, I have been giving many loaves time to rise and bake (metaphorically speaking, of course). In other words, this has been a time of introspection and planning.
Where I'm going
Being the list making, plan devising guy that I am. I have created a plan full of lists. The main idea is that have appointed myself to be the Principal-at-large for the region. Since this is an entirely made-up position, I get to set the parameters for myself:
- Read dozens of education blogs each day
- Comment on and/or retweet as many things as possible
- Participate in edchat and ntchat
- Participate in various other online learning opportunities
- Read my back log of education titles
- Blog about my reading of my backlog of education titles
- Blog for Connected Principals
- Get involved in "The Education Debate" going on in the US
- Volunteer at the local elementary school
- Attend edcamps and other unconferences (I am currently working on a plan to get to Kansas City in November)
- Clean the kitchen, put away the laundry, and cook dinner (my wife added this)
- Play with my children (my children added this)
- Get paid $1,000,000,000 (maybe not)
Since I have not given up on being a principal (after all I am the Once and Future Principal), I will keep my eyes and ears open for a principal position for this year. I have applied to take a longterm middle school social studies position in the winter. And, of course, I will work to secure a principal position for the 2011-2012 school year.
So, that's my story. I would love to hear ideas, suggestions, job opening tips, dinner ideas - whatever. Please leave a comment below.
Hi Larry: Great post; how excellent of you to be so open, honest, and reflective!
ReplyDeleteI was in exactly the same position two years ago this fall, and am now very happily in my second year of a wonderful position, much better than my previous one!
2008-09 was an incredible year for me; I really feel like I had the mid-career opportunity to reinvent myself as a 21st century learner and educator. I began blogging, and it changed my self-identity and I think it changed my life.
When I began the year, I thought I needed to be an "expert"-- to consult, advise others, write a book. Then I read Mindset by Dweck, and it had an enormous impact; I realized I'd do myself better embracing my growth mindset and becoming a learner instead, and to use my blog as a way to show what and how I was learning.
I did all the things on your list, and one other: I visited a bunch of schools. (I do see you say volunteer at a school.) I set out to visit 21 high schools, and at each spend the entire day shadowing a students, experiencing the school-day from the perspective, and live-blogging everything I saw happening and what I thought about it. It was an amazing experience.
Have a great year, Larry: I am eager to see what comes next for you!
Larry,
ReplyDeleteI love how you've turned your current situation into a positive. Your plan proves you are a continuous learner and value empowering others!
I, too, am in that search for a principal position, my first. I've recently found the power of collaborating online via Twitter and blogging. It is opening a whole new world of learning for me. I know these experiences will make me a better principal.
I look forward to reading your blog and learning from you.
Kathy
Jonathan and Kathy,
ReplyDeleteThank you both for your comments and words of encouragement. I certainly can't ignore a book that Jonathan suggests considering that Kathy features it on her blog as well.
I have already started reading Mindset. Hopefully it will help me move forward.
Thank you both.
Larry,
ReplyDeleteWe look forward to welcoming you to Wolcott Elementary School for the 2011-2012 school year.
~WES Teacher