Reflections on Blogging and Administration

Q1: As you read the blogs above, you may have noticed that the line between professional ideas and personal opinions became blurred. How do you think this kind of transparency affects the school community?
I like the idea of better knowing what the administration is thinking on given subjects.  So many times it is hard to get to know the Principal, and this is one way that would allow for that.  It would also allow for Principals to clarify confusion on topics or relay information in a timely manner.  By providing this transparency, the leadership can help bolster trust amongst the school community.

Q2:  Were you more drawn to those posts with personal reflections or did you prefer to read blogs in which the author focused on the issues important to school leaders?
I enjoyed reading both for different reasons.  The personal reflections let me know the human side of administrators.  Both allowed me to learn from their experiences. 

Q3:  What are your initial thoughts about the type of blog you would want to maintain?
I have blogged on another websight that is more personal.  It made me a little uncomfortable putting my personal thoughts out there.  I love to read other teacher blogs about different ideas they have for organization and decorating or on lessons they have created so I think if I remain a teacher, that would be the way I would go.  I think it would be cool to share and learn from others things that would improve my classroom.  If I move to an administrator role, I think this would be an excellent tool to share information with the community and with other administrators.

Q4:  How would this type of blog meet your administrative needs?
Again, I believe this would help build a healthy relationship with all stakeholders by allowing the leadership to "put themselves out there", discuss important information in a media most people have access to, provide and receive helpful information/ advice for/from others.

Rest and Refresh Time

Okay, so before I started teaching, I always thought teachers had it easy.  I mean they worked from 8:00 til 3:00, got off for several days during the year, and got the ENTIRE summer off, right?!  How could anyone say they were tired or stressed out?  Believe me when I say, it took exactly one year for that belief to go away!  Now, don't get me wrong, I am always very sad when I have to say good bye to my sweet babies, and I don't celebrate F.A.T. Day (Fingers and Toes Day- 20 days left), but I am now relieved by the prospect of having some much needed rest, relaxation, and refreshment when summer arrives even though I always work on something for my classroom throughout the whole summer.

This year, however, I took some wonderful advice, and have done NOTHING for my classroom for the first month of summer vacation.  I have focused on my family and myself, and though I normally would feel guilty, I don't in the least this year!  The head of my department when I was working on my Master's had also cautioned us to work to find balance in our lives (personal and professional), and I have to say I have never heeded his warning until this school year.  It's always been tough for me to "let go" of "school",  but I have been doing a much better job this year.  I would highly recommend everyone work to find that balance in your life.