Take Care of Yourself

Do you know anyone who has taken on a new position and has totally fallen off the face of the earth? You no longer see them at educational events or sharing in the social media world? It's quite understandable why educators get too caught up in their new environment and forget about what got them there in the first place. I often wonder though if this is a problem that effects the entire system of education. Why are these transitions so difficult to manage? Especially at the cost of keeping on top of innovations through a tool like Twitter or by attending a local EDCamp.

There must be an opportunity for educators who are new to a school or district to take care of themselves from a professional standpoint. Quite frankly, it doesn't help kids if educators are so caught up in adjusting to their new surroundings and responsibilities that they forget to stay current with best practices. Whether you are a new superintendent, principal, or teacher, status quo should never be an option. I completely understand the stress that goes along with acclimating to a new environment, but the fact remains that our students deserve better.

So the next time you see someone stuck in a rut or completely absent from the social media world, tap them on on the shoulder and let them know how much their contributions matter. More importantly help them understand how important it is to be committed to driving change rather than managing what is in front of them. Don't get me wrong, managing a classroom, school, or district is really important, but so is looking for ways to impact the success of students in ways once thought uninaginable.

Speaking of ways to stay on top of your professional game, consider attending the Tomorrow's Classrooms Today Conference on Friday, June 26 at Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's a great opportunity to connect with like-minded educators and takes place the day before #ISTE2015. Visit www.evolvingeducators.com for more information.