Whew!!!!

Whew!!! That's all I can say about the beginning of this school year. Today is Oct. 15th and I just feel like I'm coming up for air after a long time underground. Kinda like the Chilean copper miners.

So why do I feel this way! Because we are in the upward swing of a major implementation dip largely spurred by the CFF grant at the high school, EETT funding for special educaiton, completion of the new middle school, and SMART Board purchases (not necessarily in that order).

This year marks my third year in the role of technology coach/specialist. This year teachers are readily embracing technology as they see another year of advid commitment by district- and building-level administration. Great things! But I'm only one person. I currently work between the middle and high schools with occassional supporting lead teachers in our elementary schools.

We talked about expansion last year, but with a new supertintendent we decided to wait to make any changes. Right now, I'm glad we didn't change anything because I've been so overwhelmed with teacher requests for support and training and my director's request for training on software and peripheral upgrades. It's a difficult balancing act that sometimes leaves me bewildered and looking foolish for announcing workshops that aren't largely attended as they are volunatary and there are too many demands on teacher's time. So this week, I felt foggy as I reflected on the last six weeks and reassessed my direction for the year. This led to several conversations with my director where I shared that I think I should pull back from workshops for now and concentrate on individual coaching, school-based pilots, district initiatives. He agreed!

So my lesson learned this week - when the dust settles from the beginning of the year one must reassess and redirect.