Next Steps

I found out last week that I will be transferring schools next year.  Change feels like it has been imminent all year given my participation in the Aspiring Principals Academy, but when the change happened, it felt like it came very quickly.

Change has never been something that is hard for me because I grew up moving every eighteen months to two years - no, not army-brat . . . large corporation child.  This is different, though.  The change is exciting and full of new possibilities, but I am leaving a place that I helped to build from the ground up - almost literally ( I didn't do the bricks and mortar, but I helped pick all the furniture!) - so I feel sad, too.

What I learned, though, when I worked at the district level in another place is that the children in our schools really are all our children.  I saw the effect that strong practice in one classroom, one building has across a system.  As a teacher, I didn't really understand that and having gone back in to a school building, I am reminding myself of it since my view has, once again, become a little more myopic.  All that I've learned and all the ways that I've grown will come with me, and I will work diligently to make those experiences have a positive impact where I'm going.  I also will learn and grow more from the people with whom I'm going to work.  That is the exciting part.

Here is the e-mail I shared with the RB Faculty and Staff when my departure was announced at the end of last week:

Hello, River Bluff CREW.

As I write this, I am going to try to avoid the following:

• making this sound like an Oscars acceptance speech - although I should probably have won one of those at some point - "First, I would like to thank . . ."
• sounding like I'm walking out the door immediately because I have miles to go before I sleep (thank you, Mr. Frost).

I have worked in many places over 23 years, and I know that I've taken important parts and pieces of those places with me wherever I've gone next.  I can honestly say, though, that I have grown more as a person through this work with you than I ever could have imagined because of the amazing professionals that you are.  Thank you for challenging me, pushing my thinking, and, most importantly, supporting and growing children through pushing your own practice.  I greatly appreciate being a part of the RB family.

I am excited to embrace the new challenges and experiences ahead as a White Knoll Timberwolf - going back to a school where I loved teaching!  I know and respect so many of the faculty and staff, and I can't wait to get to know all of the White Knoll learning community.

Make no mistake, though, I am so grateful to be taking the best you all have given to me as a learner and leader on the next part of my journey.  

With love and eternal gratitude,

jp

-- 

Julie Painter

Academic Dean for Innovation

River Bluff High School