Only 9 more months until summer break....

I started school this week and it's been rough. I didn't sleep at all the last two nights and I think it's because I'm paranoid about sleeping through my alarm clock. I'm convinced that whoever invented the alarm clock is evil! All kidding aside, it actually hasn't been too bad being back to work. I finally feel like I have a purpose again instead of just trying to figure out what to do on a daily basis. I have almost everything done, except for my lesson plans for next week. The first week is always easy.

Yesterday we opened the year with a personality training. Each of us took a profile test and it ranked us according to our DiSC personality. The D stands for Dominance, I for Influence, C for Conscientiousness, and S for Steadiness. I scored highest on the S component, which didn't really surprise me. I can't figure out how to copy and paste my graph or I would show you. The trainers said that mine was sort of rare because I scored somewhat consistent in three of the four categories. I am mostly the Steadiness, but scored closely in the Influence and Conscientiousness. I am definitely NOT dominant! Here is what it says about me...

This person's tendencies include...

• performing in a consistent. predictable manner
• demonstrating patience
• developing specialized skills
• helping others
• showing loyalty
• being a good listener
• handling excited people
• creating a stable, harmonious work environment.

I need others to...

• react quickly to unexpected change
• stretch toward the challenges of accepted task
• become involved in more than one thing
• are self-promoting
• apply pressure on others
• work comfortably in an unpredictable environment
• help prioritize work
• are flexible in work procedures

It was pretty interesting to see the dominant traits in everyone that I work with. It really explained alot about why people are the way they are. The goal of this training is to open our eyes to these other personalities and learn to work together. We are also starting a book study with our whole staff about collaboration. I really do think that we have a strong team of teachers that love what they do, but sometimes, as in any profession, it's hard to work with people. The best way to teach is to be consistent across the board and if we work together, our kids will enter in kindergarten and continue to build upon their knowledge until they leave us at the end of fifth grade. Hopefully that will happen! On another good note, I am the chair person of our social committe again this year and I have ALOT of ideas for fun activities for our staff! I'm really excited because I feel like last year I just did not have the time to devote to it but I'm hoping to find more time this year. Might be tough because I plan to take 16 more credits by next August to up my pay again for next year. Busy busy busy!!!