It's All About Pace

I have to start with a little toot of my own horn - On Sunday, I successfully completed my first half marathon -- With a great time, too!  It was one of the best life experiences I have EVER had.  The energy of the crowd, pushing my body to its limits, the sense of accomplishment when sprinting across the finish line!!  While running I had many miles to think (13.1, to be exact!).  It dawned on me that running a half marathon is a lot like a school year.  You start the race all pumped up and energized, but you're gasping for air when you reach the finish line.  You have good days (miles) and rough days (miles).  You use all of the tools you've learned in training to find success, and you look to those around you to find extra motivation.  (I LOVED the guy at mile 11 who held a sign that said, "Your feet hurt from all the butt you're kicking!")  Mostly, it's all about pace.  You can't focus on the end, or the task seems way too daunting.  You have to take it one mile, one day, one step at a time.  You have to BE PRESENT, live in the moment, set small goals, and push yourself through difficult times.  Most of all, your belief in yourself can NEVER falter and you HAVE to maintain a positive attitude.  I honestly think I ran the entire race with a huge smile on my face.  I was hurting, I was tired, but I was PUMPED.  I celebrated the small successes at each mile marker, and that is what we should do as educators.  Don't focus on EOGs, don't count down the days 'til our next break... Don't even think about what's on your plate tomorrow.  Think about TODAY, right now.  In an hour, celebrate all you've accomplished so far today.  Reward yourself, pace yourself, be excited about who you are and all you have to be proud of.

On August 25th, we were all side-by-side at the starting line, PUMPED up, excited, refreshed.  Don't forget that feeling.  Let it hover over you during the hard times, remember that emotion, force it to live on.  There's nothing quite like crossing the finish line, getting a medal around your neck, and realizing that YOU MADE IT.

Upcoming Dates to Remember
-W-APT Testing Window for Kindergarten:  August 31-September 28
-September 7:  DIBELS Training for NEW Teachers 3:45pm
-September 9:  DIBELS Refresher Training 7:30am
-September 13-24:  DIBELS BOY Benchmark Window
-September 21:  4th Grade On-Demand Writing Task
-September 23:  Curriculum Night 6:00pm-7:30pm