Wednesday, February 7, 2024

What a welcome...

 

WOW I sure am grateful to be here. 

Shelley said the stars aligned and I sure do agree. 

New Year, New Role, New Start

WOW, what a start to 2024...

For a few years now I have been interested in the Learning Support Co-ordinator Roles. I have three friends in these roles and I see their impact, their job satisfaction and their JOY in their roles. 

Increasingly, the travel in my work was getting out of control. 

Very late last year, the stars aligned, and I have accepted a role as Learning Support Co-ordinator in the Beachside Cluster, across Tainui and Musselburgh Schools. 

I am beyond excited. 

“And suddenly you know it’s time to start something new and trust the MAGIC of beginnings…”

11 years ago today I started with CORE Education and it has been a MAGICAL carpet ride, making friends for life, working with incredible educators, and travelling… an incredible amount of travel… especially around the south, and also out to the Chathams and even over to Denver for ISTE! 

Now it’s time for a new chapter! I am ridiculously excited for this new beginning! In a way, it feels like bringing together my life as a teacher, deputy principal, mentor and facilitator of happiness, into the privilege of walking alongside learners, families and teachers! 

A new chapter begins…


As part of my move to a new role, it was very important for me to spend time in Wellington with our Founders Nick Billows, Derek Wenmoth and my mentor Mary Anne Mills. What a week! It really was unreal.

So many amazing things happened last week. One in particular is very important to my new journey. I had the privilege of spending time with Harry Mills, CEO, The Aha! Advantage, and author of numerous books. We had incredible discussions as our current and recent reading has many overlaps. I shared this image with Harry:


Harry immediately recognised the style and made the connect that this is the illustrator of the images in Adam Grant's latest book, Hidden Potential. 

I discussed with Harry, my recent changes, and my passion for Positive Psychology. I was in the process of enrolling for my Master of Positive Psychology out of Melbourne, when I won my new role.

Harry offered me an incredible opportunity. He suggested I locate ten books that will challenge me, support me, engage me, inspire me, and cause me to flourish in my role. I am incredibly grateful for this and indeed, I have my first two books. 

Building on my recent success with Whole School Educator Wellbeing, I believe I will get a lot more out of these reads, if I engage in discussion, through chapter chat. 

So... this is where I start...

Book one is: 
No Hard Feelings 
Emotions at Work (and how they help us succeed)
By Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy


Book 2 is:
The Learning Challenge
How to Guide Students Through the Learning Pit to Achieve Deeper Understanding
By James Nottingham

So here is a link to the chapter chat...
 
I can't wait for you to join this fun...