Let's get the year started!

I am a little apprehensive about starting to blog about my reflections and thoughts of leadership and education. I recently followed along #IAedchat Blab where @casas_jimmy talked about the reason he started to blog, and then I thought about my daughter Aleigh, who a few years ago started her own You Tube channel Stargirl16. I came to the conclusion that I need to put myself out there and share my thoughts, ideas, and reflections. If other educators have paved the way with blogging, and my own daughter put herself out there, then perhaps I should too. So here is my first blog, which is about balancing the hectic pace of the beginning of the school year while making sure we remember to focus on the reason we became educators.  

I am eagerly anticipating the start of school at AGS! Especially since it will be a new experience for me. As we get closer to mid August teachers, students, and parents look forward to the start of a new year. Teachers are busy setting up their classrooms, parents and students are out and about buying back-to-school supplies. As a principal, I am double checking my summer to do list and making sure that I am all set for the first day. At home we are running around getting prepared to start another year. Jenna is already back at work preparing for Jr. High students, I am getting ready for our elementary kiddos and my girls are eagerly awaiting new beginnings as Aleigh will be starting high school and Caitlin will be starting sixth grade. 

Things seem to be moving at a faster pace and we wonder if everything will be in place for the start of the year. This is a perfect time to spend a few minutes reflecting on the wonderful opportunity we have been given with a new group of students. We will have new faces greeting us on the first day of school eager for new beginnings, the possibility of making new friends, and full of hope. Hope, that their new teacher/s will recognize what makes them special and how to cultivate their talents.  As educators we have been given this amazing gift of being able to influence the life of another. Author Andy Andrews describes this phenomenon of impacting the life of others as the butterfly effect. You may never know the long term effect of the seeds you will be sowing this year with your students. 

A few years ago I discovered a powerful Chic-Fil-A commercial . I watch this commercial every year and it helps remind me to be kind, helpful, and give thanks because you don't always know if someone is struggling. A simple smile can make all the difference. Every student, parent, and colleague has a story. We need to make sure that we read it. As teachers we have the ability to make a students day, week, or year! 

Please take a few moments out of this busy and exciting time to think about the students who will be with you this year and ask yourself what impact will you have on them. We all went to school to be difference makers. Let's strive to be awesome this year! It is the only year these students will be in 2nd grade, or 5th grade, or kindergarten. Let's seize this opportunity!  Todd Whitaker states it best "No one gets a degree in education to be an average teacher". 

Have a great start of the year! It is going to be amazing!

Tim McDermott
Principal, Alice Gustafson Elementary/Early Childhood Center
#goagsgators