Intentional Focus

The teachers I have the opportunity to work with are simply amazing.  I don't say this lightly or with exaggeration.  I say it because it is true.  Embedded within the role of instructional coach is the obligation and opportunity to listen and encourage by coming along side of.

This week, I was able to take a "field trip" with a group teachers to three different classrooms in order to problem solve.  During a Schoology training, the IC from the HS did a fantastic job of being intentional with specific groups to meet their individual needs. I got to listen, learn, and kneel beside friends as we navigated this new platform.  Several other times I was able to have more private conversations, being both a sounding board and a comfort.  I had to opportunity to watch "Art on a Cart" practice navigating the floor surfaces and hear variations of "Arrr mate"  coming from our tiny music pirate.  I saw one of our older teachers "dragging" our newbie around the building in search of necessary classroom items...they were laughing the entire way!  I heard notoriously video camera shy teachers anxious to video messages of love and encouragement to our precious little ones.  I saw boxes delivered by husbands, doughnuts delivered by our Thankful Thursday fairy.  I saw patience on the face of those who have been asked the same question a hundred times over.  I was able to locate one group of teachers simply by the enthusiastic noise being emitted from a classroom.  I saw emails shared with "try this, check that..."  And of course, I saw a wide variety of eye wrinkles that expressed what their mask were covering, fear and hope. What I saw this week was a group of ordinary people doing countless extraordinary things. 

I thank each and every one of you for being intentionally focused this week.  Not one bit focused on your own personal comfort, but on pushing your limits so together we can meet the needs of these kiddos we love.