Sometimes I cry....

I was recently in a #PIAChat on Twitter and Kelley McCall (@mccall_kelley) shared a quote "Vulnerability is the essence of connection and connection is the essence of existence" by Leo Christopher to go with a question about vulnerability.  Principals in my PLN openly shared their vulnerabilities. I quickly realized that I was not alone and that many of use wear our emotions on our sleeves in our jobs every day. I wear my emotions on my sleeve every day and I think that's ok! It's who I am... and my feelings are real and right there every single time!  My friend, Jay Posick said "Never hide who you truly are".
I've thought a lot about that this week which has led to this blog post....

I was given a necklace for my birthday that week from a student // It was exactly what I needed- b. u.

How often are we someone else? How often is it hard to be who you truly are?

The role of the leader of a school can be  lonely and rewarding at the same time.  Most of us take on these responsibilities because we care about kids.  I care about kids so much, I cry.  A lot.

Sometimes I cry when I'm talking with students because I have empathy for what they are going through. Sometimes I cry with parents because I am compassionate for their children and what they are going through. Sometimes I cry because I'm not sure I can take any more. Sometimes I cry because there was nothing I could do to help. Sometimes I cry because these kids make me so happy.

I've always been somewhat embarrassed by having emotions at the very edge of my being and that the wet eyes come so easily. This is who I am. I care and love deeply.  I feel others pain and feel compassion.  This is truly who I am.  I am me and I am going to be me.

I am also a strong woman and will wear this necklace proudly to remind myself that it is ok to be me!

#oneword 2018

I was very motivate to choose my #oneword this year as I read other posts and participated in the Principals In Action chat (#PIAChat).  I love the idea of one word to keep me focused throughout the year instead of a lofty resolution I probably won't be able to keep any way.  I am also looking forward to reading Jon Gordon's book "One Word that Will Change Your Life" which has led this #oneword movement.

As I read other's words and thought about what I wanted 2018 to be for me, I went through a few words but knew the right word would choose me.  I thought about wanting to prioritize and focus on specific tasks each day. I want to focus on developing relationships and continue to motivate my staff and create a positive school culture. I want to focus on myself and my family and take time to unplug.
It didn't take long to realize that my word would be FOCUS!

There's so much to do at home and school each day and sometimes I feel like I've spent the day doing a lot and not accomplishing much. I need to FOCUS.  I need to find my priorities for the day and FOCUS what is most important to get done.

I have a new system for creating and keeping my 'to do' list which will let me FOCUS on the 3 most important tasks for the day between home and school.  This will allow me to get into classrooms on a more regular basis.  My goal for 2018 is to Focus on coaching my teachers to be the best instructional leaders they can be in the classroom.  They need my support to become #Pirates who do what's best for kids.

Focusing on relationships that I build each day with students, staff, colleagues, families and community members is another priority.  I want to take time to slow down and listen to the those around me. I want to be intentional and present in conversations I have with students and my teachers.  I want them to know that I care about them.  I'm going focus more on my 2/10 conversations- choosing a student (or teacher) to have a 2 minute conversation with for 10 days in a row.

2018 will be a year of Focus and intentional planning, listening and coaching of my teachers.

I hope you all have your #oneword to guide you through 2018. No matter what word we choose, the process of choosing our words has already made an impact on our goals for the year.  Good Luck with your #oneword and here's to a great 2018!

Risky Business

This summer I joined the Principal Principles Leadership Group by Stephanie McConnell. I was excited to become part of this group to share ideas. I did not know that this would be the first step in growing what would become my PLN.  Through this group, I followed a recommendation (probably several endorsements) to read "Lead Like A Pirate" by Beth Houf and Shelley Burgess.  I was so eager to read the book, I downloaded it on my Kindle so I could start reading it right away.  The benefit of the kindle edition, was being able to click on the links.  Many of these links brought me to Twitter posts.  The more and more I began to see what was happening on Twitter (a platform I had avoided until this point)- I decided to DIVE in Headfirst!  I created my Twitter handle.... (note my first choice @PrincipalFrench was obviously taken...which would become my first connection to someone in my new PLN) and @BobbieFrench became my PLN persona.  I began following people that I knew and before I knew it people were following me.  I have to be honest, I felt overwhelmed and intimidated.  People who began following me were 'famous' authors and wrote books... BOOKS!  There was pressure to post 'important and relevant' educational information and school happenings.

Fast forward two months and I'm now connecting with my PLN on Twitter almost daily, participating in chats (wow there can be a lot of them and we need some East Coast chats at reasonable times!). I've been reading more and more books. One leads to another and want to read them all at once.  And let's not forget my newly created Voxer account!

This blog post is the result of a challenge to take a risk from the #PIAChat this past week and a little tweet from @sheehyrw (Ryan Sheehy)... "You can do it! We all have a story to tell".  I don't consider myself a writer, but I wanted to become a better reflector to become an even better Principal.  This blog is the perfect opportunity and vehicle for my weekly reflections.  If only I had started it years ago,  before blogs were a thing- with all the things we hear, see, do in the world of education. I would surely be one of the published authors I'd want to follow!

I am excited to continue on this journey. I have already made lasting connections with other principals and no longer feel like I'm on an island. I love the ideas I get from these different groups and my morning commute goes by much quicker with Voxer chats to energize me for the day ahead. My staff may think differently and threaten to take my technology away... but they are growing too and have begun using @Flipgrid & @Kahoot in their classrooms, we did a @Goosechase for our back to school staff meeting, and many of them have began their Google Classrooms.  I am excited for our new groove (and avoiding the rut... thanks Jay)...

Thank you Ryan, Jay, Mark and Kelley for the "Risky Business" #PIAChat on Tuesday that launched this blog... wow.. I think that also accounts for my #LeadLAP challenge to thank someone in my PLN this week!