The #ETCoaches Blog Challenge is a lot of fun. I truly appreciate the encouragement from the community as we are growing. I am very sorry about being late for the second week in a role! I am going to try to be on time for the third one! I started a new job this fall and I am trying to get caught up and learn on the fly, taking much of my time.
One of the most important things that I will have to focus on this year is perspective and attitude. If things go sour, I can’t go sour. I need to find the perspective to see things in a positive light and help others see those items as well.
For everything that I do this year, I will have to keep everything in perspective. I was hired in to help the teachers grow using technology and I am new to the district. I have little history and am learning the area and the culture. I must keep a positive mindset and help others find the positivity in what they are doing. While this has not always been my strongest suit, it is something that I have made significant strides to in the last few years. It is essential that I focus on helping to find the positive as we fully roll out the 1-1 initiative.
With this idea of perspective, one area of improvement I need to have is in my patience. I am an incredibly patient person, but with some educational practices, I want to see rapid growth in teachers to provide students with better learning opportunities and a meaningful school experience. Sometimes, keeping in mind perspective, I will need to become a better communicator with the staff. I have struggled with being to blunt with people before, but must watch myself as we move forward to ensure that I am building positive relationships and helping the staff and students around me.
One of the upsides of being new to a district and the first employee in a role for the district is that I will be able to challenge some of the things that have always been done a certain way. It is important that the staff that I support start to make strides to the make the most meaningful use of technology and I am the one to get them there. I have no history with them. I am fresh eyes. If given the opportunity to see and discuss, I can likely have an impact on changing the current levels of thinking. I am focused on being supportive but also altering the status quo. If we are to make strides in education and to improve outcomes for all stakeholders, I am the one that will be able to help.
Of course, all of the above can also be a downside. I am fighting a current of “we’ve always done it this way” and “you don’t understand our students.” The biggest challenge of the whole thing is keeping that positive attitude to ensure that I am the agent of change that I hope to be. Perspective is what will make or break my efforts in this new role. Positivity is key!