 | Recharge your batteries at Institute
December 2007 --
from MESPA President Richard Oscarson
“I quickly learned that I needed to take care of myself and carve out times for professional growth and personal relaxation -- because superintendents weren’t going to do that for me.”
One thing I have always loved about being an educator is that we get to bring closure to our work each school year in June. When I was a teacher, I felt as if I had a good two to three months to recharge my batteries so I was refreshed and ready to go again in September. As a principal, I have found that recharging window shrunk to about a month, usually the month of July. Oh well, I knew that would be my schedule when I went into the principalship.
One thing I didn’t know until I made it through my first couple of years as a principal, was how important it was to recharge my batteries throughout the school year. I quickly learned that I needed to take care of myself and carve out times for professional growth and personal relaxation -- because superintendents weren’t going to do that for me. They have enough other stuff on their plates.
I have found the annual MESPA Institute, our statewide convention held each February, is one of the tickets for recharging my professional and emotional batteries. To quote a MESPA colleague, “It comes just at the right time of the school year.” Think about it. The timing couldn’t be better at close to the mid-point of the school year. I usually walk in the first day (Wednesday) with hundreds of school-related issues on my mind. And when I leave on Friday and prepare to return to my school, I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders. I still have challenges when I return to school, but I see the challenges in a different light. I even believe that I’m more effective and confident in finding solutions and resolutions to the various challenges principals face each day.
I want to extend my personal invitation to all MESPA members to attend MESPA Institute 2008 – Changes, Challenges, Connections. The Educational Advisory Committee, chaired by Mary Hanson, has done a fantastic job putting together a good variety of professional growth opportunities for us. Karen Coblentz and Rolf Carlsen will co-chair the Institute this year and plan to welcome us with an entertaining skit. Over the three-day convention, we have three keynote speakers with messages sure to inspire and educate principals (Dr. Ronald Ferguson, Dr. Scott McLeod, and Jodee Blanco) – plus a discussion with Minnesota legislators guided by our own Roger Aronson (MESPA legal and legislative counsel) concerning public education. My good friend and colleague, Paul Schullo, has coordinated over 100 vendors and exhibitors to give you curriculum, assessment, playground, fund raising, school equipment, residency, and school photography ideas --and more! -- that you can take back to your school. You should have received a mailing with registration forms from the MESPA office in December. If you haven’t or have misplaced it, please call MESPA at 651-999-7310 – or download forms from the Web site at www.mespa.net; click on Professional Development/Institute.
I’m looking forward to connecting with my Minnesota colleagues in a few weeks. I personally enjoy the chance to network with other principals. I think I learn more and get more ideas in conversations over the lunch table than any place else. But the highlight for me is the Thursday night banquet where we honor and recognize principals from all over Minnesota for their outstanding achievements. I’m eager to hear the inspirational words from our 2007 MESPA National Distinguished Principal, Jolene Landwer.
I hope to see you at Institute, February 6-8. It is a great opportunity to recharge your batteries so you can continue to give your students, your staff, and your school families your very best this school year and next.
|
