Balance. Ahhhhh . . .

Balance. The word itself is a breath of fresh air. It's good to finally be able to breathe.

Since August, I have slowly but surely learned the art of juggling. You know what the secret is? Throw down some of those stinkin' balls!

What I am trying to say is this: After getting to know the seasoned teachers that I am privileged to call colleagues, I am convinced that there is nary a single teacher out there that has found a method for keeping every ball hurled at them suspended, every plate spinning, every iron red-hot, and every loose end tied off. And this is just how it is.

This was difficult for me to process at first. In my previous career, everything was by the book and it took an act of congress to add anything to the repertoire. Change came slow; therefore adjustment was easy. Not so in education where change is the only constant. It slaps you up-side the head when you least expect it (and even when you do) and job descriptions are shockingly fluid (like the hot coffee you spilled down the front of your knickers when the last change head-whapped you).

Prioritize. Be not afraid of loose ends. Come to terms with the endless, ever lengthening list. It is the nature of education. Be bold enough to say "Enough!" and don't you dare let your work come within ten miles of your weekend with your beautiful wife and little boy.

Balance. Ahhhh.