The title of my post may be misleading. Let me explain:
Over the past year, I have worked with fantastic educators, locally and across the USA (and the world!). This month, though, is a time for change in education.A time when we see colleagues and friends move on to other district, jobs, or to Florida for those who are hanging it up for good. It is one of the hardest months for me because each and every year, I see co-workers move own to greener (and sometimes not so greener) pastures. some in education and some out of it entirely. Just this past month, my district lost its Superintendent and a few great teachers to other districts.
It has been an up and down month. One where you want to write about it but don't know how to get those feelings out.
Being on vacation this week has allowed me to unwind a bit and of course, that is when the ideas start coming in. Today was one of those days that just grabs you. You know, a day when all of the ideas you have been trying to work on for the past few months come rushing at you like a title wave of energy and excitement. A day when you weren't expecting productivity but found it in the strangest of places.
My strange place happened to be on the couch, watching the Disney channel.
I was flipping through the channels and for some reason, the movie "High School Musical" was on. For some other reason, I stopped clicking and decided to watch it right as their big dance number was up, entitled "We're All in This Together." If you haven't heard the song, check it out online. It's catchy and a good summer time jam.
That song, that title, their energy reminded me of what we in education did this year. It reminded me about how I truly felt about the educators we lost this year to attrition, movement, or retirement.
I wasn't sad, angry, or upset. It just clicked. It just all made sense. This isn't a month of mourning, its a month of endless possibilities.
We are all fighting the same fight, we are all in this together- FOR THE KIDS.
While it's bittersweet that I am losing some great co-workers, I am happy by the prospect that I now have friends and colleagues in other districts. These are new connections that were not there last year. My mind is already spinning with the possibility of cross-district planning, projects, and events!
I am also excited to see the new crop of educators who will come through those doors with that "students-first" mentality and energy that knows no bounds.
Even though the halls may be empty now, my mind is FULL is ideas. Thanks, Disney Channel.
PS - for your viewing pleasure...
