Being Present ........ While Away

Being away from my daughter was a new hurdle for me. I wanted to be present for her still, but I also wanted to be present for the experience. I was excited to be traveling for my school to learn more about differentiation from the guru herself, Carol Ann Tomlinson. 

Flying into Virginia was scary. I was already nervous to fly because there had just been a plane accident the day before I was supposed to take off.  I was in a plane that held 48 people, which meant it was VERY small. We flew through some turbulent weather and I was very thankful that the last week I had spent a lot of quality time with my daughter. I felt every bump and there were MANY! Luckily, we landed safely and I was able to calm down and enjoy myself.

Pictures from the Airplane

We checked in to our hotel and then met up as a group for dinner and drinks. After finally going to sleep, we wake up to a LOUD alarm. I begin hitting all of my electronics, thinking that my colleague (who I am rooming with) is going to kill me for rudely waking her up in the middle of the night. After I realize that this alarm is obviously not coming from anything of mine, we get ready to leave. My colleague opens the hotel door and asks someone in the hallway, "Are we going outside?" His response was, "If you don't want to stay in a burning building you are!" So, we finally wake up a bit and head outside. 

Fire trucks rolling in

After a while, the hotel was cleared and the alarms were reset and we were able to go in and finally rest!

The rest of the week was mostly uneventful. I was able to focus on differentiation with Carol Ann Tomlinson during the day. I would highly recommend going to her Summer Institute on Differentiation, or at least attend one of her many conferences she has throughout the year. I learned so much that I am excited to try out in my classroom this year. I felt like a better teacher just by being in attendance!!

FaceTime after Madison went to Brookfield Zoo

During the evening I was able to be present for my daughter through FaceTime. 

We talked about her tumbling accomplishments. (She can do multiple back handsprings now!!!)

 It made both of us miss each other less because we were able to talk to each other and we could see each other's faces as well. 

I loved that I was able to feel close to Madison even though we were more than 700 miles away. So many people think that technology causes us to be less present with each other, but it was used oppositely for me this week!

In the end I was able to be present for my own professional growth as well as being present for my daughter. This gives me hope that I will be able to better balance this throughout the school year too. This will be a focus for me this year. How do you find the right balance with work and family? This is something that I feel I will continually struggle with....

Flight Home
Virginia / High Above the Clouds / Illinois