Bridges

On Tuesday I will go into my new school for the first time since my interview last spring. The school has organized an orientation morning for the new staff, which is nice. The following day will be the board-wide PD for new teachers. But the official first day of PD with my new school community will be on the 27th.

It’s exciting to be starting something new - and I’m a bit nervous as well. It is the first time I will work in such a big school and I will be starting a new program as well. I have done that before and I know how anything new can be viewed in a school - welcomed by some and, er, not so welcomed by others .

I feel hopeful, useful, and nervous - all at the same time!

Christian Long at think:lab posted a fabulous ‘note to self’ the other day as he begins at a new school as well. It is no longer on his blog, but he has given me permission to cite it here. I dedicate it to all of us teachers who are transitioning into new schools and positions this year.

Note to self:

The school has seen something in you that they value. Likewise, you have seen something even more impressive in them that you value…

The school has invited you to become a part of their lives and families. Likewise, you have invited them to become part of your life and family.

The school has entrusted you with the academic and social well-being of their most precious resources: their kids. Likewise, you have agreed to take this responsibility on without fail.

The school — long before you were interviewed — had been successfully creating a culture of academic rigor, respect/empathy, and life-long relationships. Even if you never came around, they’d still be doing it tomorrow and many years into the future. They invited you to play a small role within their larger family. You have accepted a small role within their larger family, and look forward to following their lead along the way.

The school hires new team members because they believe that they be able to bring additional ideas and resources to them over time. What they need from you early on, however, is to listen to, learn about, respect, and celebrate the academic world that they have already built and committed to long before you arrived’. You have plenty of time to share new ideas, but listening, watching, and respecting is the first rule of business. Listening and watching is your best trait going forward in this first year.

The school expects you to do great things on their behalf. In the meantime, they will ask you to do the ’small’ things first. Likewise, you hope to do great things on their behalf. In the meantime, you will embrace the ’small’ things with dignity and enthusiasm (and know that many of the ‘great’ things start there, by the way).
Now that you have that cleared up, go have an amazing time!

Christian Long, August 2007

He has reposted it! Here it is: Note to Self.

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