It was the best of years, it was the worst of years

So where to begin when reflecting on the year to date as the finish line approaches? ? ?

I guess I'll start with all good leaders like a challenge, so I guess that makes me a good leader? : )

As a quick snapshot... During this year I've had-

* 8 different staff revolve through 2 positions
* The worst timetable rotation/blocking/allocations EVER
(which has made staffing classes fun)
* The MASSIVE responsibility of launching & leading the F1 in Schools Illawarra hub
* To welcome a brand new DP & Principal to the school
* Lead a sprinkling of unhappy people
* To of course do all the usual faculty leadership & iiate stuff
* Teach my classes to my usual awesome standard

& throw in to that mix, managing the player-coach gig for the mighty Sutherland Sharks State League Bball team which meant 2 & 3 trips to Sydney and all over NSW throughout the season, which certainly clocks some kms : )

Oh, & let's not forget sneaking enough quality time in to spend with my beautiful fam & friends!

Now question time?
Would I change a thing?

A: NO WAY, NOT IN THE SLIGHTEST, I'M TRULY BLESSED WITH AN AWESOME ALL ROUND LIFE.

But where to now?

Well of course the answer is simple...
Keep on improving, keep on learning & keep on building on the already strong foundations of success already in place.

So what's in store for 2015?

Calling it now : )

I HAVE A YEAR 11 DT CLASS AGAIN
(after leading the implementation of DT in Year 9 a few years ago)
So I am going to LOVE this class!
#DesignIsLife!

Our school will excel in all our regional & state wide competitions.

Our Illawarra Hub & School will 'take off' with F1 in Schools going to a whole new level with more staff involved, more students engaged (if that's even possible LOL) & the hub expanding to 6 active teams.

And on a more simple note, work will be far more settled with a functional timetable, smooth allocation of classes (fingers crossed) & of course a happy and hard working AWESOME Technologies & Creative Arts team!

So get excited all & I say, "Bring on 2015!"

Excited as always, & possibly with an over use of exclaimation marks in my text?!?!?!

Thanks to all 2 or 3 of my blog readers ; )

E=R

How do you justify 'a good job?'

Deep question...
A good job can mean many things, improved data, top HSC results, or just getting kids to school, but when you're teaching in a disadvantaged community there's so many 'good job' moments, that usually outweigh the somewhat depressing ones.

I had many 'good job' moments this week as I led 20 great kids on a 3 day 3 hour each way adventure from Port Kembla to Penrith by TRAIN! The kids learnt more about life in 3 days than 3 months. So I feel like I did a pretty 'good job' to have them all smiling and still intact come 7pm Friday : )

Now the kids still had their moments - lost phone, found phone, lost again, found again, lost wallet (getting mailed home), broken shoes, no money, no food, forgetting devices, etc. etc. But one or two things were clear...

The kids competed on the big stage (@ a NSW final) against Selective High's, Independants, Catholics & of course a couple of other feel good story schools & it was obvious - ALL of our kids wanted to do better, wanted to be better, believed they could be better!

The kids all believe! They can see a future, a future where, they will have shoes, money, be organised, an have worked hard to achieve a goal (or two or three or more!)

So I think I've put my finger on it..
I teach people to BELIEVE!

Believe that anything is possible...
Believe THEY can make this happen...
Believe that they have support behind them...

And ultimately believe that

EFFORT = RESULTS

So I think this counts as a 'good job' right?

I had lots of really positive moments this week - smiley faces and feedback will do that to you I suppose, but the best one was definitely a kid telling me the familiar story.

It started with a, "Thank you sir."
And followed with a few more. But when the young fella thanked me for not copping his crap & me telling him that excuses were like toilets was just what he needed (because hes always full of them) & that now he has a vision & a belief that he can change a cycle!

He told me how his family has never been able to afford their own home, & how he's going to change that! It just made me smile : )

So while the technical skills may still be developing in many of my kids I can always sleep at night knowing I'm making a difference & teaching the real skills my kids need to succeed.

It's always summed up with E=R : )
So next time you're teaching a class I hope this story keeps you smiling as you reflect on how YOU are making a difference to people's lives!

Teaching truly is the best job in the world : )