Principal ponderings...
Don't worry, it's not a typo in the title of this post. Yes, I am exhausted after our first week of a return to full in person learning. But I wasn't so tired that I misspelled the word in the title. I definitely took Saturday to rest and recover from the week and my second shot. And as I was getting gas this weekend after grocery shopping, I had a spark of inspiration. As I told the guy working at the gas station to "fill it up" I couldn't help but think about a different kind of fuel.
Joyfuel.
Some of you might remember the poster I gave everyone a few year's ago. I have it hanging in my office as a constant reminder for me.
I said in one of my last posts that this year has caused many of us to be running on empty. We are playing the dangerous game of seeing how long we can drive with the needle pointing very close to E. Will we make it a little further before having to stop at the gas station? Or will be break down? More often this year I have seen the latter happen. For me as well that has happened too often. The cup is empty. The gas tank is empty. I have felt empty. I came across this image the other day and man it hit me like a ton of bricks.
I would bet money that many of you have felt this way at some point this year or feel that way right now. This feeling of being split in many directions. This feeling of exhaustion. This feeling of being overwhelmed and under-appreciated. How about this statement...
I see you. I know that you are not fine. But we are coming to the end of this marathon year. I am not a runner, but I know that you need fuel to keep going, to finish the race. Joyfuel. This year has felt like an eternity. This past month like a lifetime. Last week felt like shoving a month's worth of work and energy into a week. But the good news is the pit stop came to us. The students. They are our joyfuel. Their smiles, their energy, their positivity...that is fuel that will help us get to the finish line...or at least to our next stop next week.
Fill your cup. Drink their joy up. Forget about what didn't get done. Don't worry about if you will finish the unit in time. Be in this moment with your students and feel your needle move from E to F. None of us are getting any prizes for seeing how long we can go with the needle on E. Fuel up. Siphon some joyfuel from your students. They have plenty to share.
Currently reading:
I got the best new picture book at Target this weekend! I plan to do a read aloud of it this week. I love the idea of kids asking questions and "the road" calmly giving answers.
I have had a hard time putting
Ground Zero down. I just love the characters and story lines that Alan Gratz creates. He makes you want to keep reading just one more chapter!
I finally finished listening to Obama's book...it's a long one, but a good one. I am excited to be listening to
The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person now.
Events this week:
Monday - One week until vacation...you got this!
Tuesday - Report cards available to parents in PowerSchool
Wednesday - Half day, 12:30 dismissal, School Pictures Retake day
Friday - Wahoo, you made it! Enjoy your spring break!
Check it out:
Haha, meant to share this last week...
And this statement... #truth
