Week 3: That Quarantine Life

Where do I even begin this week? This is a world I never thought I’d be in. I feel like my work life has went topsy-turvy. It’s like I’m on an episode of Stranger Things and I’m in The Upside Down (if you have no clue what I’m talking about…then you need to watch Stranger Things while you are stuck at home!).

This week brought plans for Remote Learning while teachers were conferencing with families. And I will admit, I had a little mini-mental break down early in the week as I was trying to process and figure all of this out. It’s a LOT to plan for, take in, and then prep everyone else for. How do you lead when you don’t know what you are doing most of the time? Like I said, it’s like I’m in The Upside Down and we are changing everything we know and do so well. So, I followed my own advice. I took a walk at the point when I felt overwhelmed. I hashed out my thoughts with my husband on the walk. When I came home, I felt better! Way better! Fresh air and time away from the computer is always beneficial.

The week from that point on was crazy busy! Getting a remote learning plan up and ready for staff to run with it, meeting teachers online in teams, holding an online staff meeting for over 30+ teachers, getting a plan for material distribution…whew…it was exhausting! I found myself working 12+ hour days. Which is exactly what I’ve been telling everyone NOT to do!! Ugh. Not doing well following my own advice.

And then my Office Professional (OP – or as others call it – Secretary) called me. We have a wonderful relationship and she keeps me in line at school, manages my schedule, and well, basically does it all! She’s incredible. She called to remind me (ok…really she just told me in a very no nonsense way), that even though I’m at home, and cannot see my team, that I still have a team. As she said to me “you created a strong team, now let us do what we are good at!”. Oh, how I love her! She is so right. I have created the most amazing school team. My office staff is incredible. My paraeducators are the best! She then says to me “let me take coordination off your plate…let me handle the behind the scenes stuff so you can work with the teachers.” I felt an instant relief. Because, for one, I knew she would rock all of the coordination. She’s awesome at that. But, also because it freed me up to do the work I needed to do.

Now, many of you might be saying right now “well, duh, of course she should have asked her staff to help….is she so self-centered that she doesn’t rely on others?”. The answer is no. I don’t think I am the best and I try not to be a control freak. However, being at home, it is easy to forget that we have teams. We can’t see them. They aren’t right there beside us like normal. So, it’s easy to forget to ask for help and it’s easy to start trying to do it all alone. We have people who WANT to help! I had just forgotten. But, my OP knew this and put me back in my place 🙂

From that day on, the week got better. Now, don’t get me wrong…it was still crazy busy and stressful. But, it was manageable. My OP emailed all of my amazing paras to ask if any would be willing to volunteer to come into school to help with the collection of materials (to prep for distribution). Every single one of them said “YES!” One said “put me in coach!” On Friday, we had a team of people working together (well, at least 6 feet apart). My counselor came in with her daughter…and brought home-made masks for all!

So, my message this week is that even while we are working alone at home, to not forget that we still have teams of staff ready to help. Utilize them! You’ll feel WAY better! And while I’m at it, don’t forget to thank your staff and show your appreciation. Even a little text or email telling them how much you appreciate them goes a long way!

Lessons for moving forward:

1. Rely on my staff (just like you would at school). Don’t forget that they are still there just because they are not physically with you.
2.  Keep taking walks. Fresh air, exercise, and getting out of the house helps to keep your mind sane.
3.  Set office hours (I really need to learn this one – if you haven’t noticed…it’s been on all 3 weeks of lessons)!

I hope you are all staying safe, healthy, and sane 🙂

Stephanie

The Positive Principal