Wow! This school year is going really well. I feel I am a part of a wonderful team that is really making a difference for students. It is fun and rewarding.
Although I haven't been reading many books since school officially began, I have been reading the New York Times (at least the popular articles) everyday. This was an interesting article about working efficiently:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/business/measure-results-not-hours-to-improve-work-efficiency.html?src=me&ref=general
We're in our second week of October, and we have had only one staff meeting that was quick, productive and positive. In addition to reducing the number of meetings, I think I need blocks of time with no interruptions. Days when I can take even 15 minutes in the lunchroom also give me a positive lift for the afternoon. Even though I don't always do it, making a prioritized list helps me work more productively. Finally, taking a short break every couple of hours helps when I am working on weekly lesson plans.
People "out here" at our rural school all work hard. I never feel the need to "pretend" I am working. Actually, I feel better when I'm not here too late after school because I seem to get so little accomplished.
