I love school supplies. I always have. The sound of tearing into sealed plastic to click a brand new mechanical pencil has been my favorite sound since third grade. I love erasers. Sometimes I will write something just to erase it. These inexpensive necessities have always brought me such joy. I believe my obsession with school supplies developed because of my desire to perform well in school. In my grade school days, we used pencils and paper daily. Our classrooms were not filled with handheld devices, wall-mounted computers, or text-to-speech capabilities. Rather than typing on a machine, we hand-wrote assignments. I remember writing several rough drafts of essays before turning in a final copy. It was these experiences that taught me to love the tools that eased my work. As a principal, I believe it is my job to give my staff and my students tools to ease their work. These tools may include professional development opportunities, books, supplies, and even technology. It is my belie
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I struggle to write this post due to its role in my life with relatives and friends, professionals. So, I’ll share some resources – and, of course – three picture books and a graphic novel to provide support, insight, and open the door to conversations through literature. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health , observance of this month has taken place since 1949: “ Together, we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness.” This year’s theme – Take the Moment – encourages individuals to talk, share resources, show empathy, and work toward understanding. “This campaign also champions the importance of destigmatizing mental health by normalizing the practice of taking moments to prioritize mental health care without guilt or shame.” Last year’s theme also resonates: More than Enough. This provides an “opportunity for all of us t