Welcome to #AWSAconnect! Please introduce yourself, from where you are tweeting, and your favorite professional team (I am watching the Bucks and the draft, by the way!).
Jay, Principal at Merton Intermediate School, checking in from lil' 'ol Merton, WI. Right now, I'm a big Bucks fan, but I'm really a state of Wisconsin professional team fan. #AWSAconnect
A1 I do my best to shut down any countdowns on whiteboards or bulletin boards. We need to make the days count instead of just counting the days down! #AWSAconnect
I've never even thought about that unless we put a different spin on them like an ellipsis-- "25 days... to ensure your legacy is what you want it to be." or ...to achieve greatness and leave a lasting mark. #AWSAConnect
A1: Celebrate, Celebrate, Celebrate. There should be a lot of celebrations as we culminate the year and look ahead. Pranks can sometimes be fun for the staff, too. Sharing the positive stories you have w/ kids in your office and on the PA can also be fun to celebrate #AWSAconnect
A2: Reminders about all the hay they put in the barn so now the can eat and be healthy with their little ones--in other words, recounting the challenges that led them to this point to celebrate achievements and growth. #awsaconnect
A2 Engaging lessons, meaningful work time and homework, maintain expectations, concentrate even more on relationships, and have individual conversations with kids. #AWSAconnect
A2. Reteaching of our expectations, sticking to the schedule as much as possible including WIN (What I Need), relevant and engaging lessons. Plus getting outside whenever possible. #AWSAconnect
Love the addition of getting outside. Thanks to @mertonpto, we have an outdoor classroom that we just talked about in grade level meetings today. #AWSAconnect
A1: I schedule a massage therapist for Teacher Appreciation Week for 10 minute chair massages for all staff. A little stress relief goes a long way! #AWSAConnect
A3 I make sure to be in classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, playground, and bus duty as often as possible, but especially before school and during passing time. I have to be on my game! #AWSAconnect
A3: Recently, I began a (soon to be) habit of the Take 5 practice @melrobbins to help ground me. It helps me stay grounded, focused and realistic while taking stock in what's important, i.e., BALANCE #5secondrule#awsaconnect
Q4 Much of the work at the end of the year is preparing for the next. How do you keep yourself focused on these remaining weeks of school? #AWSAconnect
A4: As much as I hate to admit it, checklists of the 'To Do's' help identify the things I am accountable for, both internally and externally. My Google Calendar drives a lot of the 'pebbles and sand' as well as the 'big rocks' #awsaconnect
A4 When I'm with students and staff, I'm focused on the hear and now. When I'm on my own or with our A-team, we're thinking about the now and with an eye on the future. #AWSAconnect
Q4 Much of the work at the end of the year is preparing for the next. How do you keep yourself focused on these remaining weeks of school? #AWSAconnect
A4: the March to graduation and monitoring those last few stragglers get across the stage keeps me here and now. Also, I try really hard to have next year stuff done by May 1st. 😀 #AWSAconnect
A4. It’s more about balance than focus. A balance between the current year and the one to come. Staying in the moment while planning for the next year. Reflecting on what worked well and what needs improving. #AWSAconnect
