To Blog or Not to Blog

After getting the job of principal toward the end of April, I sat expectantly in the superintendent's office for the first time feeling a bit apprehensive. He looked at me, hands steepled, and I immediately interrupted what he might have been preparing to say to me. (I have since learned to curb this impulse.)

"Where do I start?" I asked.

"What?" he asked, his brow furrowing with uncertainty and confusion. (I have come to recognize this as a now familiar response to my oft misguided inquiries. I would like to say it is because my well-researched questions of educational significance cause him to deeply ponder his response, but that would be a lie.)

"I mean, is there a website I could go to to learn the steps to transitioning from classroom teacher to instructional leader (principal)?"

He chuckled. (I have come to learn that this is a paternal-like trait that seems...patronizing...probably is...in a nice way, but I am ok with that, too.)
"There is no such site. You do like we all did and jump in."

Not the answer I wanted or needed. However, I did just that: I jumped in. I will go into that leap of faith in later blogs, but my initial question did lead me to google any and everything I could find on being a principal. Although my web-based meanderings took me on proverbial goose chases, I did happen upon a site that encouraged principals to blog....to the parents, the teachers, or to no one in particular. It almost struck me as an internet diary complete with reflection and feedback.

Now, unlike my eighth grade diary which my younger brother verbally published on more than one occasion, I found I welcomed the eyes of others. Blogging would be a chance to float some ideas out to co-workers and teachers and receive input - both positive and negative...hopefully in a constructive way.

Blogging would be a way to reach stakeholders with up-to-date information that they could choose to view-or not-with the added benefit of an uncluttered inbox.

Blogging would also give me a chance to reflect outloud and scratch the itch I have of needing to express...needing to create...and receiving feedback for my efforts.

Blogging satisfies all those needs.

And that is the answer.