"I'm back" - It's all about perspective!

I'm sure we have all used or heard the expression, "I'm back". Often it means we were talking to someone and stepped out of the room, texting and got interrupted, or maybe even a bigger obstacle in life got in the way for awhile. "I'm back" can be a declaration of a renewed energy that we are ready to take on a challenge again. It refers to something that was happening (past tense) and that we want to continue (present) and even pursue forward (future). 

COVID-19 has dampened our spirits at times and restricted our movements - both figuratively and literally. There is a lot of negativity out there right now that can suck the life out of us. If you have ever seen the Ames Room Illusion, you will know that things can be distorted and our perspective can be affected. Appearances can be deceiving, and sometimes we need to get out of the box!

For me "I'm back" was something I thought about as I started my run today - not at the end. It was my mindset to focus and push towards my goals. I have been running consistently for about 15 months again, but it's actually something that goes way back further into my youth and childhood. I have always loved to run, but there have been periods where I have been more inactive.  This past couple of years has been a journey back to health for me in a more consistent way. When I run it refocuses me and gives me the energy to move forward. It allows me to get rid of the negative stress from work and life, and stress (towards the) positive. Physical activity and getting outside are a blessing for the body, mind, and spirit! It is a positive stress - to push myself beyond physical boundaries.

Unfortunately, I have been dealing with a minor leg injury lately which has slowed me down, so I took about 3 weeks off to rest it. I could have focused on how I haven't been running lately, or that today's run was not as fast as usual, or that it was raining and wasn't a great day to get back on the trail. All that would have done is got me in a negative mindset. 

There are a lot of excuses and reasons that can get in the way. Today, I just had to get out there and feel the "I'm back"! Sometimes, often,  it's important to declare "I'm back" even when you don't feel like it. So what's your "I'm back" today or this week? This isn't just about running, this is about what you have right in front of you. So what's stopping you. Go after it. Declare it! "Be back"!

Reach within and reach out!

I recently had some of my ideas put to the test, and by that I mean some ideas I had written awhile back were recently published, viewed and reviewed. I questioned momentarily if I still feel or think the same way now. A lot has changed in the past 8 months. Does this ever happen to you? 

I share my thoughts pretty freely, often out of an emotional place, it's just the way I am wired I think!? I do try to be thoughtful about who my audience is, but sometimes my writing is just an expression of who I am and it's for me.  I don't always agree with what I said or thought before - it's called growth! When I reflect back, I can see how I have changed. Circumstance and context affects us all differently but also in a lot of ways the same. At times I feel alone, I get low, I have doubts, I question the way things are, and at times want to close myself off from everything. But, ultimately, I never give up, and over the long haul I continue to see the world with a positive lens and develop resiliency, grit, determination, empathy, and love. 

There are two main things I do consistently to keep a positive mindset, which might seem to contradict each other, but I see them as interconnected and very helpful:

1. Taking care of my heath. Prioritizing time for me and being active and spending time outdoors is what grounds me. At times I need to shut out all the noise and busyness, and just take a deep breath. When I am alone, with my own thoughts, I re-center and can be more present again for others. 

2. Reaching out for help. Talking about how I feel and sharing my thoughts with trusted people who are close to me and within my networks has been a tremendous support. I am lifted up and find encouragement to move past barriers and struggles, sometimes in my own thinking, and this challenges me to be a better version of myself.  

We all need time to be alone and we all need to seek out support from the people who are close to us. Whatever you do when you find yourself in a tough spot and want to retreat, my advice is to reach within and reach out!

Dear Educators, Students & Parents

Dear Educators,

What we are going through is hard, but don't give up. Being an educator is challenging right now. It's okay to take a break when you need one. Reach out to your family, friends, and colleagues when you are feeling anxious, stressed or alone. Take care of your own health first, then you can be a better Teacher, Education Assistant, Principal, and give to your students and families. Focus on what really matters, let the little things go. Together we are stronger and we can get through this.

Dear Students,

What we are going through is hard, but don't give up. Being a student is challenging right now. It's okay to take a break when you need one. Reach out to your family, friends, and adults at school when you are feeling anxious, stressed or alone. Take care of your own health first, then you can be a better person and give to others. Focus on what really matters, let the little things go. Together we are stronger and we can get through this.

Dear Parents,

What we are going through is hard, but don't give up. Being a parent is challenging right now. It's okay to take a break when you need one. Reach out to your family, friends, and school community when you are feeling anxious, stressed or alone. Take care of your own health first, then you can be a better parent and give to your family. Focus on what really matters, let the little things go. Together we are stronger and we can get through this.

A pendulum or a wrecking ball?

This pandemic has altered our lives in a dizzying way. What we may have all thought at first was going to be a temporary change to our routines, and somewhat sustainable as we held on for the hope of returning to normal, now seems to be a much longer journey and a true test of the will as we search for our new normalcy. 

As we have re-opened schools, there is still a lot of uncertainty in what will happen as we wait and see how all our projected plans and systems are really working. In reality, it gets messy because people are involved, and there have been so many changes and a mountain of correspondence back and forth daily over a short period of time. The difficulty is that when we solve one problem, it quickly ripples and we need to slow back down and re-evaluate. As we pay attention to each set of needs, questions, and priorities, our focus can swing back and forth precariously. And if we don't find our own internal balance, the momentum will move us far off course, and the ending result could be catastrophic. For school leaders and staff this is especially crucial right now. The question is, at what cost?

I recently read a post by a colleague @datruss, which reminded me about the importance of maintaining a healthy routine despite all the challenges and demands that we face in this time. I will admit that due to the busyness of school start-up, I stopped doing a few key things over the past few weeks that have helped me to stay on track - most importantly - running. I noticed my body and mind going in decline as the intensity and demands of work have increased. I spent many weeks considering all the factors to keep my school community safe; but then there is always more to do. I neglected my own priorities in order to take care of everyone else. Carving out time for ourselves has to be a priority.

I have also been challenged by re-reading my own writing which has been recently posted about having imaginative leadership in a pandemic through being adaptable and networked. I wrote these ideas back in March, but now I am having to live and lean into these qualities as a leader now. As I have said recently many times to my staff, we must plan, learn and adapt to new protocols and routines. Just because we might have a good plan, doesn't mean that it isn't going to feel a little overwhelming at times and require some changes. This past week, as a school leader, I definitely felt that. I have had to respond to so many questions and I have had to go back to my plans and change some routines based on the questions and feedback I have received and the observations I have made. 

The truth is that I have many questions too, despite feeling confident in all my planning. The challenge for a lone principal in an elementary school is the feeling of isolation when having to make tough decisions. When the questions from parents and teachers all come in at once, it feels like too much for one person to deal with in a timely and effective manner. It comes down to communication and finding what is a sustainable and respectful balance. For leaders, if we commit to answering every question immediately, then the pendulum swings and we can't get the time we need to process and take care of ourselves. This is where we have to lean into our networks to be recharged and inspired.

This post started by being inspired and in response to a colleague @datruss, and through conversations with friends and people close to me in my networks, who all inspired and helped me to reset my priorities. My own personal health is the key to all other things, and so today I was back out on the trail with my runners on, and my mask. I'm wondering if this writing has inspired anyone else to get back at it and face their challenges. I would love to hear if this is true.

You hold the key

Today I really didn't feel like getting up and following my routine. My body was aching from the weekend's activities. I was tired. But I opened my twitter and was inspired again by @datruss and @kellywchris have been posting regularly about the #SDFitnessChallenge. They do various fitness routines, which I like to refer to as "stunts" such as handstand shoulder and hip taps.

I haven't quite caught on to that yet, but for me it continues mainly to be running. And the only way for me to safely "socially distance" get in my runs is on rainy days or early in the morning when the trails are empty. What's still challenging in my routine is that it never feels easy to get up early or go out when the conditions aren't great. Every run I do takes hard work, persistence, and sacrifice. I wrote about this previously here. I don't want to go out some days, but I do it anyways.

Being socially distanced in these fitness routines isn't just about avoiding people. It's about pushing through despite the challenges of being restricted from what we might normally be able to do. My gym has been closed for almost 2 months, and the trails have become overcrowded during regular, warm sunny days. I think it's important to remember that we are not looking for a way around this. And if we waited, stopped or ignored what is happening then we would truly be avoiding the reality and might just give up. This is about going through this challenge. I was inspired by @negar_puye and I posted about this before here.

Today I had slept in though, so I rushed to have my coffee and through on some shorts, a t-shirt and my runners. I took my phone, earbuds and a house key. I quickly started right into my run and realized that these shorts didn't have that secret key pocket, so I had to hold my key in my hand so I wouldn't lose it. Near the end of the run my hand started to hurt and I looked down to see the key imprinted on my fingers.

When I looked down at my pulsating fingers, it made me think...you hold the key to what is possible. You make the biggest impression on your own life. Be grateful for having people in your life who inspire you to be better. But if you just sit idly on the sidelines, watching their routines and posts, then you have done yourself and them a disservice. The only way to experience what is possible is to make it possible! Unlock the potential that you have inside of you!

Appearances can be deceiving, same with our expectations

Today I decided to go out for my run despite the ominous clouds rolling in on the horizon. As my run progressed, the skies opened up and so did my mind and spirit. Sometimes, now, I am struggling to get out as much. My routine I had been building pre-COVID suddenly slowed way down, and I have been searching for my new routine ever since. I am still determined, however, to keep moving forward - not just in my running - but in other aspects of my life as well.

Our routines, and the search for new rhythms in routines, can keep us going even when it looks a little rough and uncertain out there. The ability to rely on our routines might be more in question right now given our new realities, and this might cause some people to just be waiting for things to normalize, so they can get back to their old routines. I see a problem in that kind of thinking though. Sitting back and waiting will not help us now and will not prepare us for what’s next. The way I see it is, either you are stopped and stagnant, or you are moving forward and growing. If you do nothing, essentially you are saying I won’t. I won't learn, I won’t grow. There is no moving backwards, either you have given up and you have stopped, or you are willing to take some risks and move forward.

I don't want to sound harsh, and certainly there are some very challenging situations affecting people's mental health and physical well-being right now. We all need to be safe and take precautions, but I urge you not to give in right now or give up. The routines you are fighting to find right now, as painful and scary as they might be at times, are critically important for your well-being. This isn't just about physical routines either.

Innovations come from having to solve problems in a time that is uncomfortable and restricted. I am learning how to make videos and post to YouTube, for example. NBD right!? I mean there's millions of people doing this, but here’s the point - every new small step we each take is growth and learning. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge this. Don’t compare yourself to someone else. This is about your growth and journey. So celebrate each step you take forward!

Repetition in routines may seem nauseating at times, or even too challenging at times to continue given our new realities; however, over time they help us to measure our progress, even if very slowly. Regular routines help our thoughts and actions because over time they are pressed, tested, and even scrutinized - if we share them publicly. The resulting changes become part of our new mindset and encourage us to go on, even when we don't feel like doing so.

It might seem contradictory, but being connected to others can inspire us in our routines. Don't compare your progress to others, but be inspired by them! Two educators that I follow, (@datruss and @kellywchris) post regularly about their shoulder press/handstand routine challenge, as well as educational leadership writings. What I notice, when I follow other educators who share daily like this, are the small, incremental changes that become noticeable over time. This actually encourages me to reflect on my own progress and keep moving forward. I am not doing my own shoulder press challenge, but some days in seeing their posts, it's what gets me off the couch and lifts my spirits to try again and go out for a run.

Sometimes it may seem like we are moving backwards when we post a slower time, can't do as many reps, or generally we aren't doing as much as we did before. Today was supposed to be my marathon run day - 42 KM. I stopped my intense training when COVID hit, so I was not in any shape to sustain that distance today. But I did run 15 KM, and it was amazing to be outside and enjoying my run. I have run much further before, I have run farther, but I did run 15 KM today. I'm learning to appreciate the progress I am making over time. I actually have a spreadsheet where I'm tracking my progress. It might be deflating if I compare my results over the past couple of months, but a year ago I couldn't even run 1 KM without stopping. If I didn't go out today I would have posted 0 KM. It's all about perspective.

Appearances can be deceiving, same with our expectations. Don't worry if you did less today than you might have last week or last month. Taking time to re-evaluate is good, but don't stop there. Adapt. Change. Learn. Grow. Take action...and don't be afraid to get back out there, even when it looks or feels a little dark and scary.

The plans we had are gone, it's time to find our new routines and our new paths!

On my run this morning I had some time to reflect. I thought back to my recent communication to staff and parents over the past few weeks, and how it has been different lately. Normally I like to talk to people in person if I can avoid sending a long email, and normally we have regular scheduled and non-scheduled times that bring our whole community of learners together where common messaging can be shared and we get to feel that energy of being in the same space. But now, in the experience of being physically distanced, we are all being forced to reach out in different ways--and a lot of it is in print.

Here is an excerpt from an email I wrote three weeks ago to my staff when this Pandemic started about the importance of maintaining healthy routines in the midst of this time of change (I have edited the length for this post and removed parts to maintain privacy):

"Well, we are into week 2 of our spring break, but it’s one that’s unlike any we have ever seen before! I know there is much uncertainty and we did not plan for any of this, but I hope you are finding some kind of normal routine besides going to the grocery store, and still finding joy in your days! Have you started a list of things to schedule your days yet? 

The vision I was building with you and the plans you had for your learners this year will not happen in the way we all envisioned, and we will need to let all that go. We will need something completely new moving forward, it will be different, but in time we will make sense of it. 

If you are feeling apprehensive, trust me I understand, but together we will come through this stronger and we will not disappoint our community.  

We all worry about the kids we work with, every day! The best thing we will be able to do right now is to show that we care and understand how they feel.

Please take this week to rest, be well, and find a routine that brings you peace. 

We will take things slow, one step at a time, and do this the right way to overcome this challenge. And together we will be stronger."

I have continued to lead my staff with the messaging that we need to slow down and be patient. This was two weeks ago (edited down for length):

"There is a lot of information I have to sort through every day and share some of it with you. I know you have many questions about what we are doing and what we are not doing, why we are doing certain things and not other things. All I can tell you is that we are in a new situation and we need to take it slow, and it is important for all of us to be patient. Keep in mind that what’s most important for you is wanting to reach out to your families and check in at some point. They might have lots of questions for you and it’s okay to say, “I’m not sure right now, but we will figure it out.” 

And then this past week (edited down for length):

"I have really slowed down a lot of processes with the main objective of keeping safety as our number 1 priority. Let’s all keep in mind that this is still overwhelming for all of us. When I say all of us, I mean teachers, EAs, support staff, students and parents. So let’ all slow down, less is more right now."

I am still figuring out what this looks like in my personal life and in my work. When we are forced to slow down, we have a chance to re-evaluate and focus on what really matters. On my run this morning I stopped for a moment just to take in this view:

What struck me most was how the trail path curved and I couldn't see what was around the corner. It reminded me about how I had been training for a marathon since September which was supposed to take place in May; but also how that goal has vanished with this Pandemic. It was in my sights and plans, and my training had become a major part of my daily routine. Now I am having to make new plans, but I'm just not totally sure what that looks like yet. Now I am more focused on getting out for a run when it's safe, because I need this regular routine for my physical and mental health. Today I was just happy to be out there and I enjoyed the run. It wasn't my longest, it was my fastest, but it was good and it helped to re-center me again.

I posted after the run:

Our new routines will be so important to help guide and help us along in the coming weeks. It is time to find our new rhythms and routines, and our new paths. We are in this exact time.  Although we cannot see what's ahead, we will be more happy, safe and secure knowing what to expect through our routines. Our children need these routines, we need these routines--having a meal together, going for a walk or bike ride, doing some homework, cleaning around the house, having some kind of physical work out or reflection or prayer time, talking on the phone or video chatting with family or friends, finding time for creative outlets like music or art...all of these new rhythms, patterns and routines will help us to find our new paths.

Take the time now, less is more!

We are all dealing with a lot of changes. My focus as an educational leader in this time continues to be about taking care of people, but now at a safe distance. So this has meant that my normal routine of walking through the school and outside, connecting face-to-face with staff, students, and parents is gone. It's been replaced with a massive amount of communication via e-mail, phone and video chats. It's different, it's more challenging in many ways, and it's not what I'm used to. 

What it has done for me is that it has helped me filter everything down to one single priority - health & well-being. I know that's two words and one of them is even hyphenated, but no they are not separate, for me it's one and the same. It's about taking care of myself so that I can take care of others. I have written and shared about my health journey over the past three years and it's been my pinned tweet for awhile now.  

It's important for me to remember, and share with you, that we are not alone in this journey. As I interact with my staff and parent community I am reminded that we are all in this together and we have to prioritize what really matters. The decisions I am making as a school leader have to include the experiences and stories from staff, students and parents, in order to live out authentically our school motto "Together We Are Stronger". 

As a result, my messaging to my community of learners has consistently been about slowing down and taking it one step at a time. We could easily get distracted by looking at what other communities are doing, but what matters most is about what matters to us! I am used to being action-oriented, building vision for my school, and moving quickly on an idea. I am used to making decisions on the fly, solving immediate and emergent problems in the moment, and then moving on to the next thing. But this is different right now, everything seems to move slow. I am learning to be more patient. I am realizing that as much as I might feel the need to reach out every day, share or ask questions, I have to think first through my priorities:

1. Is this the safest way to do this?
2. Is this needed right now?
3. Is this helpful right now?
4. Is this message clear for everyone?
5. Does it show that we care?

Every story I am hearing from parents, teachers and staff is unique. Some families are ready for more, some are just getting into this new routine at home, others are still trying to figure out how to get up to speed with technology, and many are struggling with basic needs and just providing the essentials for their family. What is common, is the shared experience is that we all just want to know that someone cares and is there if we need them. 

Something that has been an amazing help to me has been to bounce ideas off colleagues, and my PLN (personal learning network). There is a ton of good information out there, but it can also be distracting. What really matters to me is reading and be inspired by people I feel connected to. Here are a couple of most recent posts that inspired me today:

This post by @kellywchris about dissonance shows that we each have our own stories about how COVID-19 has changed our routines, our perspectives, and our lives. He ends his post,

"This is a period of dissonance where we are trying to make sense of what is happening to us. We will adjust and move forward. But we must allow people time to move through the dissonance or it will continue to create difficulties and they will not be able to move on successfully."

This post by @datruss about being able to sustain the entire journey is a good reminder about maintaining a sustainable routine for the long haul. He writes,

"Most importantly, I’ll remind myself that there are more than two and a half months of school left… If I’m going to be my best, it will be because I remember that I’m needing to be my best over a marathon of time, and not just for a short sprint."

I worry about the future too, and there are decisions right now for my own family that I'm not sure about. My wife will soon be laid off, it's inevitable. How will we make it financially? My daughter is just trying to meet the demands of her high school courses - now on-line. She feels overwhelmed and we have only just finished week one. My son has been off work for awhile, but is about to enter a brand new post secondary education in three weeks. Can you imagine starting a brand new school experience on-line without actually meeting anyone?!

Recently I share about keeping a healthy routine in a post about the path ahead being uncertain but being filled with hope. This is what I shared:

"This 'shut down' of society is causing all of us to slow down and be more patient, and that is a good thing. Are you reading more, writing more, watching the news more? Don't forget to rest and find routines that are healthy for your mind, body and spirit! I'm thankful for the daily encouragement I get from others in my networks! Although the path ahead is uncertain, together this is the time where we can look ahead with hope!"

The experiences we are all going through are new, they are challenging, they are filled with a wide spectrum of emotions. No matter what you do in these next days and weeks and months, don't forget to appreciate the blessings of today. Take time for yourself, take time now and rest if you need to. Reach out for help if you need it, reach out to others and ask them if they are okay or need help.
Sometimes that's all we all need right now.

Even though it's a long weekend for Easter, the temptation for me is still to try to do more because I care and I'm worried about my staff and school families. But I'm going to take the advice from my educator friends @kellywchris, @datruss and even gave myself in that recent post. I'm going take a few days away from my work to reflect and rest, and in this way I know I will be better able to serve my community.

How long will this be like this where we are in these altered routines? No one knows for sure, but right now I encourage you to take the time you need. That work e-mail or assignment is not necessarily the most important thing right now. Sometimes less is more, and that just might be what we all need to hear right now. Take care!

After Every Storm Comes A Rainbow

As we head into our first actual week of remote learning, it might be helpful to look at where we have been in order to properly orient ourselves for the task ahead. I saw this sign on my trail run today and it reminded me that we have all already been through a lot; but there is hope on the other side if we stick together in this challenging time. 

Although the specific timelines may vary for each place, the experience in schools was widely shared. It is the week before Spring Break for many learning communities across North America. Monday, information began to trickle in from our local authorities and school district leadership about the beginning details of the COVID-19 outbreak in Asia and Europe; however, this appeared to be a concern in some ‘other part’ of the world. We were heading into a break, and the waters still looked very calm where we lived. If there is one thing you don’t want to do as a leader, it is to bring attention to things that might unnecessarily create anxiety within your community, and given the timeline, we were thankful that a natural break was quickly approaching. There are safe school protocols and a regional trauma informed approach guide that give us direction through these unsettling times. We were aware, but there was no cause to stop. So, we continued on with the more immediate needs to maintain calm, continuity, and normalcy in our schools. 

By Wednesday though, the World Health Organization made the official announcement of a Global Pandemic, and this was no longer an isolated incident, and parents and teachers alike started to ask many questions because this had the potential to threaten us on our shores. The main question being asked was, ‘Are we safe?’ Out in the distance the waves began to appear a little choppy and the wind was picking up speed. The new directive for educational leaders was about being more cautious and not to venture out on their own with any opinions. Our communication needed to be in line with the new Ministry of Education, Public Health Officer, and local employer bulletins which were being disseminated daily. We were all learning a new vocabulary, and recommendations started to be shared about ‘social distancing’ and to wash your hands more frequently. Schools entered immediately into a time of new protocols, and all communication started to follow a very specific chain of command. The message to the entire learning community was clear and consistent - stay calm, we will be just fine, we will be okay, there is nothing to worry about. 

Thursday, however, as further announcements began to be posted about world locations shutting down indefinitely, anxiety and panic started to bubble to the surface. Parents were wanting to know more and some started to keep their children home from school, and many began looking into the viability of making alterations to their vacation plans or to cancel trips entirely. Dark clouds started to roll in, the winds were getting stronger, and the seas were getting rough with whitecaps forming just off the shore. For school leaders it was time to hold the line, remain calm, make sure everyone was well informed, and the feeling was that if we were careful ‘this too shall pass’. 

With much uncertainty building overnight about what would come next, on Friday - the last day of school before the break, school leaders shared the news to the entire learning community that there would be no assemblies, or parties, or school-wide activities because of the local health official orders to limit numbers of people congregating in one location. The focus shifted from celebrations to just making it through the day safely! The seas were rising and building force, it didn’t seem as safe to go out anymore, and we were quickly in what felt like a more precarious situation. There were no hugs or handshakes as the students left for their break, with much uncertainty about when we would see each other again.

On that final day before Spring Break, school leaders, teachers, and support staff had to be calm and courageous amidst the storm that was brewing. We had the opportunity to encourage and inspire each other to make a difference in the lives of students who were about to arrive and who needed us to remain positive. Now, as we continue forward, we need to keep a brave face when confronted by such drastic, sweeping changes to the way we normally operate. Currently schools have not returned in the same way as there were before the break. We are entering the unknown, a time of remote work and learning on-line. In-school learning is suspended indefinitely, but the education of our students must continue on. Educators are working tirelessly behind the scenes, reaching out to each other, trouble-shooting all kinds of new technological tools, and scrambling to figure this out. We are being faced with the greatest, immediate shift in learning we have ever seen towards a new, unfamiliar future for learning. 

Be patient, take it slow, one step at a time, show empathy and kindness, and have grace for yourselves and others. This is all new for everyone. When faced with circumstances beyond our control, school leaders and educators need to have a clear, articulated plan, and a positive mindset which enables us to be able to move forward confidently; but mostly, we just need each other in order to have hope to weather the storm!

The path ahead is uncertain, but filled with hope!

The path ahead is uncertain. The amount of information in the media and on social media has spiked during this Global Pandemic, and there is almost too much to sort through in this past couple of weeks. The danger is to try and consume it all so we don't get left behind, and we have to be reminded to take care of ourselves.

For educators this is an especially challenging time, knowing that each step we take is the right one, and we must move forward carefully. There is a lot being shared, and it can be overwhelming to know what information and resources are helpful. This is when our networks come through. I have been inspired by the work of so many educators recently within my district and beyond.

This post about routines and habits by Kelly Christopherson (@kellywchris) really resonated with me. One of my important routines lately has been running. While on my run today I paused a couple of times to write:

Routines.

Running.

Do what you need to do.

Inspire and be inspired by each other.

No jealousy. 

Let’s all be thoughtful, compassionate, giving, understanding, helpful, respectful, kind. 

Now we are forced to wait, be more patient, and slow down. 

At the grocery store, in traffic, on the trail. 

We aren’t perfect, but we can make changes. 

It’s important to stop and scan the horizon. 

An entire generation is watching and learning through our actions.

As my run continued after writing this, I had a flashback. I was a young parent, a new teacher, and we went to an amusement park for the weekend. We were waiting in line for about a half hour, when I noticed someone cutting in line. I was infuriated and yelled out, "Excuse me!!" My blood was boiling. And then I heard this still, small voice...but it wasn't my inner, calm voice, I wish it was. It was a student from my school saying, "Hi Mr. Sclater!" My heart sank because I realized in that moment that I was not being a good example, and I was not at my best. It was supposed to be a day off, to relax and have fun. But my mind was on getting in as fast as we could and maximizing the number of rides we could get for our money! My priorities were so mixed up. I was so intent on getting so much done in that day, that I forgot what the purpose of being there was all about - my family. 

I have changed a lot since then, and become more patient and respectful, but it's a journey. Right now is an opportunity for all of us to re-prioritize what's really important. We will make mistakes. But the greatest mistake will be to ignore the opportunity that we have right now. Check out this post about positive shifts by David Truss (@datruss) which also inspired me! It's actually all the daily acts in our routines that matter. Time, reflection, commitment, sacrifice, empathy, and intentional small acts everyday lead to bigger shifts that actually make a difference. As I continued to run, more thoughts crossed my mind.

We say that "time is money".

But time is a gift.

Every breath we take.

Our daily movements and patterns.

We need to be grateful.

How much do we value our health?

Information is coming quick.

Seemingly endless communication.

What should we do?

"FOMO".

"Slow and steady wins the race".

"Stay in your lane".

This is not easy. 

It is painful at times.

We feel restricted.

But good things are worth fighting for. 

It’s forcing us to look at what’s really important. 

How valuable is our time?

How valuable are our relationships?

This 'shut down' of society is causing all of us to slow down and be more patient, and that is a good thing. Are you reading more, writing more, watching the news more? Don't forget to rest and find routines that are healthy for your mind, body and spirit! I'm thankful for the daily encouragement I get from others in my networks! Although the path ahead is uncertain, together this is the time where we can look ahead with hope!

Time to talk? - the only way is through!

I have sent out a number of e-mails over the past two weeks to my staff and already this week about our continuity of learning expectations and new routine procedures. It has been an overwhelming amount of information to sort through for all involved! But what I want to tell you most about is a great interaction I had today with a teacher from my school @negar_puye, which reminded me about what's really important through all of this.

Here is a a bit of our e-mail exchange which started with my first e-mail of the day to all staff. (I have edited this down to remove some specific information with names for privacy purposes),

"Good morning everyone, I hope you are well…let that sink in. How are you? I’m going to guess that you may feel a bit anxious or overwhelmed about the task ahead of you? But breathe for a moment!...I’m not sure exactly what that routine will look like yet. But that’s okay. We do not need to solve every problem instantaneously right now. Okay!?...your connection with your students and parents is the most important thing right now, so make it count! Don’t worry about having a plan or all the answers right now. Just show them that you care! I’m sure this is extremely uncertain and overwhelming for parents right now as well."

She gave me permission to share her response back to me, 

"I love Under Armour’s branding with 'I WILL' and 'Be Humble, Stay Hungry'.  The past few days, our teams have rallied together with incredible effort, have reminded me of one of their more recent campaigns, 'The Only Way is Through.'  As we face this unprecedented situation, the only way IS through and I know with the care and commitment we share for our kids and each other, WE WILL get through it together."

With in class instruction being suspended in our region, and social/physical distancing measures in place, we are having to make sure more than ever before that our communication is clear, thoughtful and uplifting. Every time we write something down we risk a misunderstanding, especially when emotions are already on edge and uncertainty is in the air. But when we write or receive messages like the one I got today, it can brighten our day and give us hope to keep moving forward. Remaining positive and hopeful is so important when we face unknown challenges, and that needs to come through in all our messaging whether it is an e-mail, text, tweet, phone call, video conference or a whole host of new digital platforms that we are figuring out to use for the very first time! It's not the tool that matters, it's the message that makes a difference!

Our routines are different. At school we have been so used to walking down the hall and into each other's spaces to quickly solve problems or collaborate and share ideas. Often even with just a look we could understand what another colleague was thinking. This is what makes working in a school such an amazing place! The energy and activity in schools is something I already miss, just a few days into this new routine. I miss the kids and parents, and I miss the staff. I miss parking lot duty? Did I just say that?? Everyone is feeling a little in the dark and wondering what will happen and how they are going to do this! So do something to shine a little light!

After this e-mail exchange earlier in the day, I was inspired and recorded a video message for my school community and I tweeted it out to them. I shared, 

"Routines feel a little weird and different right now, and that is okay!"

I think one of the best things we can do right now is to to try and connect with each other and be honest about how we are feeling, because that is what others might also be experiencing. At our school our motto is 'Together We Are Stronger!' If ever there was a time where we needed to live this, now is the time. We all need to know that we are not in this alone!

COVID-19 has forced us to think differently and communicate in different ways, and physically it has separated us. It also seems that everything that we want to do, or the way we used to do it, takes much, much longer. But ultimately everyone, and I mean everyone, just needs someone to talk to and someone who will listen and tell them that everything is going to be okay. And in this way it can also be a time to bring us closer if we focus on reaching out to each other. So, do you have time to talk? The answer is yes, because the 'only way is through!'

When nothing is sure, everything is possible!

The COVID-19 pandemic is very serious, and if we take it seriously it will change everything about how we live and interact with each other. And if we are taking the recommendations of the medical professionals seriously, then after repeated days at home we will probably start to feel uncomfortable because we are out of our normal routines.

Social distancing is something I still don't think we all understand clearly 100% here in North America yet, but it is starting to make more sense as things get more restricted around us and affect our ability to live as we did before. Going to the grocery store has become a more complicated and important part of our daily lives. The stories that are being shared by people who have become affected by this first hand or who have had loved ones affected, help to bring us more meaning about how serious this disease really is.

I will admit that I'm trying my best to stay positive, but being isolated and staying home is putting me through all kinds of emotions everyday. There are highs and there are lows. Some days it depends on how much I watch the news and fill my eyes with my social media feeds. I want to be well informed, but I reach a point of saturation and then more is not necessarily more helpful.

My day today started with an online meeting with an important update from my district leadership about the next steps in a very challenging time for all of us. I appreciate how hard they are working and navigating an uncertain time. I thought about my staff and my school community who are all looking for direction from me. I know that the range of emotions they are experiencing are vast, and I can relate because I feel them too. I tried to distance myself from the news, and I tried to focus on the important messaging and communicate to my staff what they needed to hear from me.

I also continued with my reading and some personal writing that I am working on, until that just didn't do it and I had to get out. So, I decided to go out for a run on the local trail - a place that has been a refuge for me. Recently though I started limiting this to certain hours or days when I felt there would be less people I would have to navigate. I have had to let go of my marathon training and have tried to just focus on enjoying my moments when I am fortunate to get them. But over the past few days I have even felt guilty for going out, and I even removed a twitter post of one of my recent runs. Why? Because I am conflicted in how I am feeling, my emotions are all over the place. I realized that we may all be going through this range of emotions every day. And of course I started to think about my school community and the kids at my school. I started to think about how important a healthy routine is right now, and how a healthy routine is going to be so important in the days to come as long as it is also safe. So I ran.

For me the concept of social distancing today meant actually removing myself from my social media because I was starting to feel down and a bit overwhelmed. (Can you feel a bit overwhelmed, or is it like being slightly pregnant? Maybe you just are or you aren't?!) Interestingly, being connected via social media is supposed to be a way for us to be more connected, but today I needed some alone time and put my phone down for awhile, and it was the best thing I did today!

The day has ended with finishing Brian Aspinall's (@mraspinall) latest book "Risk Taker". In one of the last chapters titled 'Tenacity', he writes, "When nothing is sure, everything is possible." This gave me hope today and inspired this writing, late before bed, to realize that although the current situation with COVID-19 seems very overwhelming and desperate, that we WILL find new ways to move forward if we keep hope alive. The challenge before for all of us is great, not just in education but in every aspect of our society! I do remain positive, and I believe that it is important to imagine a better future and in the idea that when nothing is sure, everything is possible!

No need to justify your actions

Recently a few people have come up to me and commented about my appearance, "Nice suntan" or "Wow, where have you been that's so sunny?" What they don't realize is that I haven't been on some exotic beach somewhere (I wish!). Instead I've been running. Outside in the cold. In the rain. In the wind. I'm pretty sure that most of what appears to be some added colour to my face is actually just windburn. 😆😂

Herein lies the idea of this post - "just" windburn!? It's not "just" anything! The truth is that the "just" doesn't do us any justice (pun intended). It doesn't necessarily explain what is going on beneath the surface. But we use "just" a lot in our conversations in a way that actually devalues all the hard work that goes into what we do and who we are! Often it's when we don't feel 100% confident in what we are doing when we compare ourselves to someone else and what they do. I've been very guilty of this and I try to catch myself before I add a "just" before something defining about myself. I've said things like, "When I was just a teacher." I was trying to rationalize or justify why something didn't work out like I imagined or might not be useful in my role now as a principal, but that's not very helpful and it also devalues the lessons I learned. There's actually so much from my teaching days that helps inform what I do every day now as a lead learner in working with teachers, students and parents.

I have a little lesson for you about how to remove "just" from your thinking and vocabulary, and I will use running as the first example (of course!):

I'm just running or I'm just a runner. (what you say now, it works either way)
I run. (get rid of "just", and now it's simply the action)
I'm learning how to run. (make yourself a learner of the activity)
I'm learning how to be a better runner. (challenge yourself to be better at what you do)
I'm learning how to be a great runner. (envision what you can become in your role)

Now apply it to something that really matters to you and maybe even defines who you are:

I'm just a teacher.
I teach.
I'm learning how to teach.
I'm learning how to be a better teacher.
I'm learning how to be a great teacher.

I'm just a leader.
I lead.
I'm learning how to lead.
I'm learning how to be a better leader.
I'm learning how to be a great leader.

Perhaps you are not aware when you have done this, but I think it's found it's way into all our conversations and thinking. It's important to appreciate the value in what you do, so don't "just"ify your actions anymore. Instead challenge yourself to be better and envision how you can be great!

Sacrifice, Pursuit, Determination

I had a really good conversation with a colleague David Truss last night, which has inspired this post. We shared about education, leadership, and our passion for learning; and although we obviously have things in common, our paths have not been the same and our processes are unique. We have in common making a change in life to focus on health and well-being; and this involves getting up early many days, exercising, checking Twitter, and blogging among other things. Sometimes you don't truly appreciate the changes you have even made for yourself until you connect with someone who shares a similar, albeit different journey. I was inspired through our conversation and my own reflection at how the trajectory of one's life can change, and change rapidly within short time.

I was curious as we talked about our rhythms and patterns, which respectively fuel our writing. Often my writing is inspired and filtered by my running. If you have read some of my other writing you might not be shocked by this! Often for me it's a stream of consciousness after I've been in my happy place alone with my thoughts. Actually this has always been a part of my process, I just didn't explicitly say it early on in my blog posts, but it was there. Then there was a huge gap in time when I wasn't blogging. You know why? I wasn't running and I also wasn't very healthy in my body and in my habits. When I run, I think and I filter ideas that have been loosely floating on the edge of my mind. When I run, I zone in on what's important and I start to form images, like a photo slide-show, in my mind and then begin to thread the ideas together. This is why when I used to present a lot to other educators, I would build slides of photos and I would build my ideas around them. For awhile I had to convert my slides to a QuickTime presentation file because I wanted to keep the formatting I had built in another program, but in doing so I lost the ability to see the order of the slides like you would in a power-point presentation. So this meant I had to memorized all my slides in order, and sometimes I was doing an hour or even longer presentation; but it was easy because the images were all I needed to remember the concepts and ideas.  I wouldn't say I have a photographic memory, but it is how I find a lot of things that are misplaced around the house or school!

Creating imagery is one of the most powerful tools of the imagination that I use to connect with my thinking. I actually wrote some of my best (I consider my best) graduate papers by starting with an image in my mind or even drawing or creating some art. So sometimes this is how my posts begin-with an image. Dave shared about how often the 'title' of his posts inspires his writing...so I thought I would try it out! "Sacrifice, Pursuit, Determination" is the title of this post. This is how I started today! I will now relate it to my morning run, otherwise you might be disappointed, right!? :)
I didn't want to get up again. My body was a bit sore. It had been a long day the day before. The first kilometer on the treadmill this morning was hard! I didn't want to do it, but the goal was ahead and it required SACRIFICE. So I kept going and the second kilometer was even harder, but I went on. It would have been easier to pack it in and go back to bed. As I continued into the third and fourth kilometers my mindset shifted into the PURSUIT of my goals. It's more than just this run though, it's about my entire journey. I start to think then about what I am after and what I need to continue to do, or even do differently to get to where I want to be. Then comes DETERMINATION. Although this could equally be the first word, I recognize that I need this mindset to continue on when things get tough and I feel like giving up. The final kilometer is often faster for me when I run, but it's always the hardest. There are plenty of reasons to say "good enough" or "that will do", but when I stay focused I reach beyond what I thought I could when I started out.

It's not just about a 5KM run, it's about my health, it's about my career, it's about the people in my life who encourage me and make me better, and who are worth the sacrifice, pursuit and determination to get better and be better. They deserve it and I deserve it, and so do you! This was a different process today for me in my writing, but I quite liked it! Thanks @datruss for connecting with me and offering me another way to imagine and think!

Learning - it takes skill(s) and imagination

There are many researchers and authors who have written extensively about learning and development. I'm not necessarily bringing anything new to this conversation, but what follows here is a statement of my beliefs and it is what drives me forward in my role as a lead learner.

All skills need to be taught. Kids don't automatically learn to say please and thank you, we have to teach them these things, and hopefully they become more proficient and adept at using them in new situations over time. I actually believe that this is true of all learning! But if we think there is an easy or direct path from instruction to mastery, then we have got it all wrong from the very beginning.

Learning requires the acquisition of new skill(s) and the development of the imagination, and so does instruction. Our teaching must require intentional planning of the steps and skills necessary to understand a new concept, but this is not just done directly if our goal is to gain a lasting and deep understanding. It must also be done in concert with and through the implementation of imaginative processes. This is important when we are considering the types of experiences we put kids through.

At our school, we have been focusing on daily routines that help students towards independence (and through making connections with others). But how exactly? This is my main question right now. How do we do this, and how do we know that it's having a positive impact? I will offer that it is through the use of specific strategies and tools, and by developing an imaginative mindset for learning. (I will have to unpack and explore this further in other posts, but there is a thread through my earlier posts from my classroom experiences). 

I believe that we need to further explore the structures, strategies and interactions that support the development of the imagination in learning. UDL, self-regulation programs like the Zones of Regulation, Daily 5 Literacy routines, Numeracy Cafe routines, executive functioning visual schedules, circle and calendar times...these are all examples of the good work that can support learning towards independence, but I believe we can go even deeper. 

If we ask ourselves not only what the goal is, but also what the specific steps are, then we can observe how this is working. This also opens our eyes to see how accessible learning is for all learners, and will help to lay down clear pathways for all learners towards a deeper understanding and development.

My hope as a lead learner is always that, although this may look slightly different in each classroom environment, there will be more consistency across a school, and therefore result in more collaborative conversations and planning for all learners. At our school specifically we say that teamwork, kindness and respect are the values that guide us in all our actions and decisions, and that "together we are stronger". I believe this to be very true, and all I will add to this is that when we change up our routines to make them better, we need to have grace for ourselves, and continue to have fun, take some risk and use our imaginations for the benefit of all.

Running out of ideas? Be grateful!

Running out of ideas?...not exactly. Getting up earlier everyday (today it was 4 AM) to fit in my running has also allowed me more time to reflect more and prepare for the day ahead instead of just "hitting the ground running".

Sometimes, like today, I am finding that it isn't always a thesis of thoughts that consumes me, instead running is helping me to filter out all the noise and distraction to focus in on what's most important. So today my heart and mind are filled with gratitude for the people in my life who encourage me, challenge me, and stick with me when I get stuck in the muck! Gratitude is what moves me forward today!

Running down memory lane

We had a rare "day off" today in our school district. Guess what I did with my extra time? Yes, I went out for a run! But it wasn't just about the run, and it's never actually just about the run! This is a journey I am on towards health, and that includes my mental health. Today I decided to put in a few extra miles (22 kilometers actually) because I had the time. I decided to run by one of my previous homes in another nearby city, and along the way I let my mind wander across many memories of my childhood and youth, and I connected again with who I am and what I believe about myself.

When I was younger I really loved to play sports! And from an early age I started playing tennis with my family, entering tournaments, and this continued onto school teams. I still play today whenever I get the chance. I also joined soccer at an early age and ended up playing for over 30 years on a variety of teams. Through the years I also joined community baseball and hockey teams, and played volleyball and basketball during my school days as well. There were ups and downs with all those sports, but to be honest I never cared if we won or lost, I just cared about how it felt to play to the best of my abilities. I enjoyed learning any new activity and the feel of the game, and I always challenged myself to get better every day.

As I ran today I thought back to the joys and experiences of practicing and perfecting my basketball moves at the hoop at my house, and there were countless hours of repetitions of hitting a tennis or soccer ball against a wall in just the right way at just the right moment. The personal satisfaction that I experienced in those moments was something that no one saw, and there was no immediate external feedback for me. I was just alone with my thoughts and in those times I could fail and fail and fail, and... I got better. I'm not saying you should be isolated in life, we need others along the way! But what I am sharing is that it's important to have a positive mindset and encourage yourself as you learn. I would tell myself, "Don't give up! You can do it!" and these are still the things I tell myself today!

The reason why I have also always connected with running is because it's always been about challenging myself, setting goals, and pushing myself further. I never cared what anyone else was doing or what they want me to do. I remember in junior high having to do the twelve minute run, the dreaded twelve minute run. All my friends knew that when the whistle blew, I was all business. They would still try to tease me by running ahead and joking with me, but I would just get into my rhythm and clear my mind, and yes eventually pass them and lap them. I was always chasing the school record just to see if I could do it, and by the end of the twelve minutes I had given it everything I had, and I was exhausted! I never did beat the record that I'm aware of, but that experience has always stuck with me.

Today while running, I thought back to the hours I would run up the steep, seemingly endless hills by my home in a more remote area (a different one that the one I visited today). There was really no reason to do it, no one was watching, there was nothing I was training for, and there was no external reward waiting for me at the end. I just wanted to experience what it felt like to push myself and see if I could do it. And it was grueling! But I loved to be away from all the noise and regular routines, and it was re-energizing!

When I got married and we started our family, I continued to play on soccer and hockey teams, and I continued to run - but less. Life takes over a bit, but I also just didn't make that a priority in my life, and there were some periods of time where I stopped altogether. All through my graduate studies, many years later (almost 20 years after I graduated high school), I tried to run again, and when I did it was always the best way I cleared my head. It was how I wrote most of my university papers and it helped me to organize my thoughts and begin blogging!

So when I think back to those memories about my childhood playing sports, and running as a teenager and adult, it reminds me not just of who I was, but of who I AM! Running, right now in my life, is that experience which connects me to who I am, and makes me better in my body and my mind! There are plenty of moments where it's hard and I have to push through. When I start to think "I can't", I just keep going and turn it into "I can" and "I just haven't yet!" I have never run a marathon before, so when I have to do one in just eleven weeks it will be a completely new challenge; but I just know I will be able to do it because it's in my DNA and core beliefs about who I am. I believe that I'm a long distance runner because I have always just wanted to be out there running and have found joy in doing it, but I can't say that I am a marathon runner...not yet! It's not about the medal or what people will say to me; it's about the personal journey to get there, and the experience of accomplishing what I set out to do!

Challenge yourself to do something that connects you back to who you are! You were created uniquely and have something to offer to this world, which is why it's important to share your journey with others; but you also have so much more to offer yourself! Reward yourself by spending time doing the things that you love, encourage yourself, and don't let anything get in the way of pursuing your health and well-being...and turn your "can'ts" into "not yets"!

The "to do list" just might ruin your day

Some days there are competing priorities for our time and attention...okay that's almost every day isn't it? Today was already one of those days, before it even began. I was tired, it's garbage day, lunches to make, a newsletter to write, an important meeting to attend, a day of work, what will be for dinner, driving the kids to their activities... The list is long and I just felt like crawling back into bed, but I didn't. Instead, I got up, had my coffee, got ready, and hit the gym.

While I was running on the treadmill, all those things of the day ahead were cluttering my mind and I had a hard time focusing. But running isn't just about my body getting in shape, it's about reconditioning my mind, so that's exactly what I did. I pushed all those "things" out of my head and I just focused on the moment. I'm training for a marathon and I can't get off track. I won't let other things steal my moments, because this is too important for my health, and then, I found my calm.

Today there are lots of things that will compete for your attention and even try to steal your joy. Don't let that happen! Okay, put out the garbage on the curb, but do you have to be at that meeting? Can you pick up dinner tonight? That's what I'm going to do today because I asked myself a couple of simple questions that helped me focus on what's important: "Where do I really need to be? Who do I need to be with and who really needs me today?" As soon as I re-framed my day I knew exactly what I needed to do, and more importantly who I needed to be with!

Some days you just need a break from the "to do list" and you need to reset your priorities, make it a "who with list" and go and make it happen!

Running out of time?

If you asked most people what's the answer to the question, "What do you need more of?" it's pretty consistently the same response - TIME.

"There's never enough time in the day!" "I just don't have time for that." "I wish I had more time and then I would." There's a lot of excuses centered or dependent on time, but they are just that, excuses. Life gets busy though doesn't it, but I wonder if we are the ones that make it busy though?

This past week I had three different medical appointments, each on separate mornings BEFORE I got to work. I also had numerous meetings before and after school almost every day. I kept up my morning runs too and I felt pretty proud of myself as I sat in my office on Friday afternoon and reflected back over the week, when a parent walked right in and before I could even say hi they said to me, "I just want to let you know that you've been really busy," and after a short exchange they walked out. What would your response be? The funny thing is that I had just spent an hour with their child giving him a much needed break and we worked together on something in the school. I will be honest, at the moment this parent had shared this I first thought to myself, damn straight I've been busy, do you have any idea what I've done just to be here every day and how much I've given?! The truth is, what this parent was reflecting to me is something I think we all need to hear once and awhile...stop being so busy and take a breathe, be present!

When we get to work what are we expecting, to have more time for ourselves? That's not how it works. Every job, no matter what it is, is about service. We are there to serve others. So do what you need to do for yourself so that when you get to your job, you are ready to serve and you are ready to give it everything you have!

I get up most week days between 4:30am-4:40am so that I can fit in my runs. And now I seem to be blogging, all before I get ready for the day. Maybe I will need to get up at 4:15am just to have time for the things that are important to me!? My response to that is - WHATEVER IT TAKES!!

I have been playing around with running puns as you can see from the title of this post. But we really never run out of time...

Make time for yourself and the things you love.
Make time for yourself and the people you love.
Make time for yourself so that you will be ready to serve!

Turn your wish into work

I wouldn't say I'm an analytical person by nature, but reflection and connecting with how I feel is, and always has been, an important part of my thinking process. But if all we do is wish that things would happen, then we will never reach our full potential. It takes planning and action to reach our goals.

Our rhythms and patterns can stagnate us or lift us to a higher place! One of the best things I have done over the recent months is get up early and run, particularly on a Monday morning - yes the dreaded beginning of the work week! If I just thought about wanting to be healthy, but I never got out of bed, then I would be stuck in the "I hate Mondays" syndrome. Instead I put my mindset on what I want to achieve, I get up, I put in the work, and I feel so much better for having done so. As a result not only is my body benefiting from this, but so is my mind. I am finding that I have more energy and ability to tackle the challenges ahead every week. By the way, I do this on Friday mornings often too!

So don't just wish things were better, make them better, plan it and put in the necessary work! I'm not letting any obstacles stand in my way...I'm just going to run right by them!