Today, I kept it real at a rad meeting of the minds. Folks from across the district came together to take the next step in creating common assessments that will be used district-wide. I worked on 3-5 reading assessments with some incredibly inspiring folks district-wide. I finally had the chance to meet Erin Hassen, who I had heard about for YEARS from Garrett and Siobhan Chan, the educational power couple. I want to hang out with her every day. I have so much to learn from her.
Common core is pretty darned awesome. It is going to kick us in the FACE if we are not prepared.
Today, I also learned about Dan Meyer from Kimmie Choi, who is brilliant. His work made me think about how much I would love it if I could finagle a doctoral fellowship some time in my future. If you can help me plot this scheme, let me know. I’m not terribly picky about schools……..
 
 
… or anywhere that would have me.
Anyway. I had a chance to see the math team coach from Sacajawea Middle School, who helped me answer the NCTM’s Twitter math problem of the day. (Half is one-third of it. What is it?) The coach didn’t seem to remember me from the TJ math competitions we’ve been at together, but it’s OK, because there were a lot of people at the meeting who I knew but who didn’t know me. Besides, I’d rather people not remember me than immediately know me as OH THAT person.
I thought a lot today about what impact an effective principal is able to have outside of the school building. I was freaking out this morning, all, “WHAT IF MICHAEL LEAVES US SOON AND PEOPLE GET CRAZY NEGATIVE?!?!?!” and about halfway to Federal Way (and halfway through my iced pumpkin spice latte), I realized that even in that worst-case scenario, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Even if negativity descended on the school, I am now MUCH better equipped to have power over my own experiences within that negativity.
Speaking of having POWER over crappy situations, Miss Washington came to our school yesterday. I was EXTREMELY SKEPTICAL up until about a half hour into her assembly. Then she blew my mind and I wanted to hug her and hire her. I’ll tell you more about that tomorrow.
Now. Off to catch my bus. Even though I grumble about it right after I wake up, I really love taking the bus. I just wish my funds permitted me to purchase an iced pumpkin spice latte both on the way to AND from Federal Way…