This is just a reflection of 2017.

Aspects of 2017 that were most rewarding or satisfying and why?

Probably my most rewarding outcomes was my work with teachers. Some example include working with the ACCoS Community. I was excited to see the growth of members of the Across School Leaders as they took up the challenge of sharing their work on TeachMeetNZ and at ULEARN.

I was also excited to complete another #EdBookNZ project where educators from around New Zealand write 1000 word blog post.

I continued to work in the background with my colleagues and curate #EdBlogNZ where we share teachers blogs.

I passed Google Educator Level 1 and learnt heaps in the process.

I attended #EducampAKL hosted at Aorere College.

Within my own school, I collated our student data as I have normally done and analysed changed in ethnicities, progress and general trends.

I was also really satisfied with the outcome of visiting China as part of the China Scholarship Programme to Beijing developed by ILEP, Confucius, Hanban and the New Zealand Ministry of Education. I had my reflection post cross posted on several other sites. Part of my learning involved me developing a music programme using Mandarin formulaic expressions to create rhythms.

Aspects of the year that were the least rewarding or satisfying and why?

I have found learning Chinese a real challenge this year. I set up vocabulary in script form and have been endeavouring to learn them, but I have found the process incredibly challenging. I undertake this journey to continually remind myself how hard it is being a language learner and continue to build empathy for the language learners and their families whom I work with.

The other side of being an Across School Leader is the amount of time I am out of my own school. I needed to restructure my time to daily blocks or I felt that my own students were missing out.

My father passed away which kind of knocked me back. Probably more so during the holidays because I am at home. At the same time his death brought all my sisters and my sons home so it was a chance to reflect on his life.

I flunked two exams. Both I was not expecting to fail but fail I did.

What I have found interesting about this year is that I am not as busy on social media as in leading events and discussions but have found myself more as the goose flying at the back and supporting others leading at the front.

Where to next

My role at Newmarket School continues to change and evolve and with change comes the feeling of uncertainty. I am no longer in charge of ESOL or with ICT. I have stepped down from my role as the Travelwise Lead Teacher. This changes are to do with our Community of Learners- ACCoS. I am now leading the Mathematics initiative for our Communities of Learners and this involves two other schools. So again I will be the goose flying at the back supporting other staff to take the lead in these areas.

I am very much about growing others and look forward positively and yet with some trepidation at the loosening of the reigns of leadership. I believe we are in for another year of chaos. Our school has been gutted and our new building is still about a term away. We have a change in staff and that brings delights and challenges. We are tinkering with leadership responsibilities that heightens the concept of chaos and will test normal social and digital structures. So to be honest I feel like all scaffolding has been kicked out from under me, again.

I know that out of chaos better things happen, but at this stage on the first day of 2018, I just want to be the caterpillar. I have no interest in being a beautiful butterfly. I will be a butterfly in another post and sprinkle fairy dust when I can be bothered emerging from my cocoon.