One year later.... -Amy

As the end of my school year quickly approaches, I've found myself heavily reflecting on all of the things that I've learned over the course of this year.  I spent the last school year out of the classroom, as an administrator, with the title "Director of Academics."  I'm not going to lie, when I received the offer that title was extremely intimidating and made me wonder a little bit if my bosses were headed straight to the funny farm.  However, they somehow saw something in me that I did not know I was capable of, and that I did not know I was ready for.  It's taken me awhile to get comfortable with my job title.  Let's face it, it still sounds really serious to me.  But, over the course of the year I've been continually pushed out of my comfort zone and forced to take on a leadership role that was definitely not always comfortable for me.  During all of this, I've learned a lot of things about leadership, the education field, and life.  

One lesson I've taken away from this year is when opportunity arises, seize it.  You may be nervous, you may think someone's crazy, you may think that there is no way you are meant to do what they are saying.  I had all of these thoughts when offered my position.  After all, I had three years of teaching experience (two within my school), no masters or administrative license (what? How is this possible?!), and a big, fat chance of falling flat on my face.  I will never understand what I did to convince my bosses that I was worthy of this position and that I would be successful, but they somehow knew me better than I knew myself at that moment.  They knew I would rise to the occasion and work really, really hard.  Well, I can say that I've definitely done my very best, learned a ton, and worked very hard.  

I've learned that the more uncomfortable you are, the more you are probably growing as a human being.  I like to call my moments of stress, anxiety, and being overwhelmed at work my "growing pains."  I have started to seek out opportunities that are specifically challenging for me because I LOVE the after affect.  I love feeling accomplished, like I've grown, and like I am a better person for it.

Overall, this year has had some major successes.  We have a really great staff moving into next year, our math scores REALLY improved, and we implemented a lot of culture pieces within the school that have made it a a really fun and rigorous place.  Our scholars work hard and play hard.  It's awesome.  Some of my personal highlights are below:

• Implementing a K-5 community circle (community building time)
• Coaching instructors and building relationships with them
• Receiving our most current Math data- we rocked it
• Getting hit in the face with 3 pies by 6th graders
• Travelling to New York twice to observe schools and attending amazing trainings
• Meeting (and receiving personal coaching from) Doug Lemov (author of Teach Like a Champion)
• Heading to Portland for another conference
• Leading PD that drives our instructors to be motivated by data
• Learning how to have tough conversations in a positive way
• Working with the most amazing, driven people in the world
• Becoming great friends with Stephanie Bartell (my boss, and overall awesome human)
• Receiving countless hugs from kids
• Being asked to be someone's mom (heartbreaking...)
• Being nicknamed "Mrs. Awesome" by an entire kindergarten class
• Watching kids know their academic goals and be incredibly motivated to meet them 

Our kids are doing amazing things.  Our instructors are doing amazing things.  We are working really hard to make a really big difference of the lives of kids who really need it.  I could not be more fulfilled in this position, and I'm so happy that my bosses were right.  I couldn't feel more happy about where I am.

One more thing.  I have to say that no matter what I do on a daily basis at this point, there is NO ONE I admire more than a hard working, relentless teacher.  It is REALLY hard to be a REALLY good teacher and I am a lucky lady to be in the presence of so many of those.

Some of our AWESOME kids.  The reason for everything.