I feel very appreciative that I am given the opportunity occasionally to travel and, it is even more meaningful when we have the opportunity to take other educators with us. Here are the four things that I try and do every time I travel for work!
1. Recharge My Batteries…
This one is constantly a struggle for me. I feel like there are certain things that I must remain available for to I am always trying to balance disconnecting and engaging with remaining on call and available for an emergency.
2. Network and Reconnect with Friends and Colleagues…
Great school leaders are continually building their network and expanding the number of voices that they can trust and listen too. I usually use some my time at a conference to reconnect with other school leaders and to try and add a few new ones to my network.
3. Stretch my Thinking…
When I attend a conference, I want to be looking for ways to stretch my thinking. I do this by being deliberate about what sessions I select and how I selectively delegate my limited time. Over the past four days, I have really been reconsidering what school leaders can do to directly change the culture of their organization. I chose several sessions that helped me refocus my thinking and better articulate my position on school culture.
4. Watch for Recruitable Educators…
Many school leaders simply miss this opportunity. This week I was at a conference with educators from across North Carolina. These educators were allowed to away from their classrooms for two or three days of valuable instructional time to attend NCTIES. In most cases, they were trusted to attend and then asked to come back and share what they learned. Most school administrators select some of their best teachers for these kinds of opportunities. So I spent three days with 4000 of the most hirable educators in North Carolina. Why wouldn’t I look for ones that might want to join our family and work with us!
After I return home from traveling, I often ask the question, was it worth it? I take the cost of the trip, and the value of the information that I returned with and I weigh it out. I have found that when I leave for a trip focused on these four areas, it makes it much easier to return feeling that the resources were well spent!
Empty Your Cup... 