No Excuses

It's been over a year since I've last written a blog post.

I have four drafts since last August, but I haven't completed them. I did get around to developing titles for them, though.

• Seven Months in an  Affluent School - Lessons Learned
• My Fourth Middle School in Three Years
• The Importance of Building Relationships
• Lessons Learned

In addition, I keep making excuses for why I haven't written any posts. The vast majority of them all come down to time. This past year, I devoted a large amount of time to working in my building; including working 12+ hour days, and spending countless weekends with school-related stuff spread out all over my dining room table. I know many educators would respond with, "That's just how it is, especially when working with high risk populations of students."

It really shouldn't be that way, though. I've worked with high risk populations the majority of my career and managed to find a reasonable work/family balance. In addition, I always had a small amount of time to think outside the box to develop solutions to pressing problems. I've also made time to keep up to date with trends in education through the Marshall Memo, EdWeek, ASCD, MindShift and of course my absolute favorite PLN, Twitter!

Once again, I didn't do any of that this year, though; and I suffered for it. I feel I worked very hard this past year, but not nearly as smart as I should have.

That's why this post is entitled "No Excuses". I don't have a valid excuse for not posting this past year..or not doing any of the things which energize me on a professional level. Yes, I had a challenging year, and yes, I didn't use my time as wisely as I should have. Just as I have done in past years, I am making my "New Year Resolution"  at the beginning of a new school year.

Don't let school get in the way of my education. 

Sound familiar? Mark Twain said something similar. Of course, he meant for us not to let going to school get in the way of learning about the world around us.  My biggest strength is to look at a problem and take creative measures to develop and implement a solution. I'm taking Mr. Twain's thought a little more literally. If I let myself get bogged down with the everyday issues I have to tackle in my building, I will not be good to anyone. If you are feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to center yourself again. Do something that gets your creative juices flowing. Need an idea on what to do? Here's a REALLY COOL INFOGRAPHIC with 40 of them.
 
I'm approaching this school year with a really different mindset than last year, and I know I will be better for my students and staff because of it.  I challenge you to do the same!