Balance and Change

So let me begin by apologizing for the longer than usual hiatus.  Just to catch you up; I am now the principal of the Wilbur Watts Intermediate School in Burlington City and today is my one month anniversary!  From what I can remember, it was a terrific start to what hopes to be a long and happy professional home.  I joke about not remembering, but it has been quite a blur!

LIFE LESSON: YOU HAVE TO STOP, TAKE A BREATH AND LOOK AROUND SOMETIMES IN ORDER TO REALLY ENJOY THE MOMENT BECAUSE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, THE MOMENT IS GONE!

I attended my first national conference during my first month (actually week) of my first principalship.  It was the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Conference in Baltimore.  My brother lives there, so it was a two-for-one, with awesome professional development during the day and fun times hanging out at night.  We even caught an O's game.  It was nice to see a home team win, as my Phils are struggling this year! 
(Check out my very first and second published articles on the NAESP online news site:
https://www.naesp.org/2013-conference-news-online-thursday-july-11/adjust-perceptions-support-black-male-students
https://www.naesp.org/2013-conference-news-online-saturday-july-13/rediscover-your-calling-and-support-your-teachers-their)

LIFE LESSON: BALANCE WORK, PLAY AND THE OTHER COMPONENTS OF YOUR LIFE WHEEL TO DECREASE BURN-OUT AND LEAD AN OVERALL MORE ENJOYABLE LIFE!
(Check out this link to Life Wheel: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_93.htm)

As I look out the three beautiful windows of my office (my office is SO cool) and watch the slow, gentle rain fall on my playground and field I reflect back on my first month: the conference, summer school, administration meetings (where I am already getting teased for being the teams' social media maverick), team leader meetings (nothing is better in building rapport than treating your teacher leaders to a nice working lunch) and so on, I am excited as to what my future holds and am thankful for all of those who have touched my life along the way.  Thus far, it has been a great journey and I cannot wait to take the next step, and as I travel I will be sure to keep my life in balance.
(http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/24004.html)