[Saturday slice means that I can revise and edit...I posted this at 9am, then went for a brief and much-needed run, where so many additional road metaphors jumped into my head...I knew I had to revamp this a bit....]
Well, yesterday didn't go at all as I expected.
Well, yesterday didn't go at all as I expected.
We had a day of Professional Development.
For some foolish reason, I anticipated restoration, relaxation, reflection - and perhaps early dismissal?
3 pm departure on a Friday maybe?
3 pm departure on a Friday maybe?
There was so much. So much. So much.
Oh my.
We are a new school, in its founding year, a new public charter school, and it is as if we are careening down a bumpy road with the most unexpected surprises after every turn...
we all know how to drive very well, we all take heed not to wreck, but the road is really wearing us out.
we all know how to drive very well, we all take heed not to wreck, but the road is really wearing us out.
This is the way it has been this whole school year...
you see the road ahead is bumpy, you figure out how best to approach it,
you believe the road is smoothing out and you are soon to be on the straight and narrow,
when, no, that's not the end, but an unexpected sharp turn,
with a new obstacle -
some deep, muddy, sloggy section that you must traverse, or
a huge boulder that you must move out of the way in order to continue, or
a surprise downhill that has intersected with a freeway and lots of other vehicles with which to negotiate as you drive headlong into the road ahead.
Yesterday,
the day after our exhilarating but exhausting family event,
we found ourselves on another downhill freeway,
the day after our exhilarating but exhausting family event,
we found ourselves on another downhill freeway,
an extremely full, necessarily complicated day.
Nonstop, racing,
keep control, keep steady,
lock your hands on the steering wheel, eyes focused on the road.
Nonstop, racing,
keep control, keep steady,
lock your hands on the steering wheel, eyes focused on the road.
Such unfortunate planning, but no one could see any other way out.
The road is downhill and very, very curvy this next week.
The Charter School Review Board is visiting our school for the very first time.
The road is downhill and very, very curvy this next week.
The Charter School Review Board is visiting our school for the very first time.
Gear up! Prepare! Get your game face on!
Reach into your reserves for the miles ahead.
Reach into your reserves for the miles ahead.
Yes, yes, yes, you can, race car driver!
Remember, repeat, reflect:
we all know how to drive very well, we all take heed not to wreck.
Remember, repeat, reflect:
we all know how to drive very well, we all take heed not to wreck.
Saturday, March 31st: first day of spring break.
This, this, this is where we all make a pit stop for more gas.
Great image, "careening down a bumpy road with the most unexpected surprises after every turn...we all know how to drive very well, we all take heed not to wreck, but the road is really wearing us out."
ReplyDeleteStarting a new school is so difficult. I love your analogy to the road and the journey. Hang on to the wheel, get past the slick spots and you will arrive safely. Count down to break!
ReplyDeleteYet another post that seems to be mirroring some of my school year and to hear you are running! another passion of mine
ReplyDeleteone more week of slicing and teaching and then you can put on the brakes and spend some time at the rest stop
Maureen, I love you. This. This is exactly what it has been like and felt like. This must be shared with everyone on staff. You have put into words, so eloquently, how we have all/are all feeling. Still. After the long haul of the past month. Thank you for this.
ReplyDelete