Kimberly Moritz BlogPosts

I’m still struggling to resume my blog practice. I’m scarcely reading online or writing. I just went into my bloglines account and seriously limited the number of feeds I’m reading, down from 24 to 10. Maybe that will help because I won’t skim so quickly with the idea that I’ve got to get through it all. Maybe if I can take the time to read fewer blogs I’ll give each more serious consideration.

Everyone I come into contact with in school or our community asks me how I like my new job. Since I’ll NEVER be a poker player, I answer honestly with, “I really like my new responsibilities, I just seriously miss my old ones.” I can’t stand it when a kid comes into the office with a problem or a parent calls because she’s ticked off about something and it’s no longer my primary responsibility to respond. In fact, I should be asking the parent to talk to our new principal. A mom called me this week and asked me to talk to her son about his schedule, transition to high school, and possible honors/non-honors course work. I was so delighted that I promised to see her son and told our new principal, “I know this is stepping on your toes a bit, but I really want to do this. I’ll step away, but let me take baby steps.”

We had to solve a busing to vocational problem that’s interfering with lunch or lunch is interfering with the busing. I was stoked when our principal and dean of students discussed it with me, because I realize I LOVE that kind of problem solving.

I do like the new job, the planning and coordinating of staff development. When our superintendent let me take the lead on the second day of staff development, it was awesome. There’s lots of new learning for me too.  For example, I’m reading books like Charlotte Danielson’s “Enhancing Professional Practice” and determining how we can incorporate this into our current APPR plan. I also need to learn much more (since I know nothing now) about grant writing and I’m looking for training in this area. I have plenty of new responsibilities to occupy my mind, like an articulated K-12 curriculum with planned assessment, community education, the mentor teacher program, and after school programs.

I just miss the action. The right this minute, listen to this problem or situation and solve it stuff. I love watching an irate parent or upset kid or frustrated teacher walk out the door feeling listened to and helped –that’s the part of my job I think I was best at and I miss it. I like my new job but I really wish I still had that other piece of the old job too. I want it all. Is that so much to ask for?