I have realized the difference between “seeing the big picture” and philosophy. Perhaps it is something that is obvious to many people. It wasn’t to me. I began a new job at a school that has some fundamental differences from the others I had worked at before. I am a principal of an Outreach school. The school is set up to help students who have not experienced success in traditional schools. We provide flexible programs and hours. Students work independently with lots of access to one-on-one help. We offer career and personal counseling and we partner with addiction, mental health and financial services. Students work with a staff member to set goals for attendance and academic work.You see? I knew and believed in the philosophy of the school.

In order to grow in my awareness, I’ve been trying to be mindful of the flow and rhythm of the day around me. I believe I am getting to understand how the flow of energy is in my school. It is not all that great of a mystery. The first hour is quiet. Some are ready to work. Most are not even in the building. This is the time that the staff and I use to get fully into the South. We have already gone through our morning routine at our homes. We’ve acclimatized ourselves to the work day and have habits formed through dedication to our education, our own health, and family commitments. The students are still learning.The second hour and through noon passes back and forth from South to Southwest as the work period comes and goes. Within that rhythm, some students cycle very quickly. I’ve just noticed one student who can only give 5 – 10 minutes before he must transition. We need a way to help catch that and support him. Others have different times.

A common situation I come across in helping students with careers choices is the problem of making a decision. There are times when a student and his parents disagree. There are those students whose ideas of a career do not match their capabilities or personalities. But more often it is something along the lines of, “I have no idea what I want to do. How do I choose?”I approach this by doing an interest inventory. Together, the student and I, take those results and narrow down the career field into a manageable list of career that are similar and the student is excited about. Then we can begin to look at what post-secondary training is necessary. The next worry is, “What if I change my mind?” Of course, this is a normal thing to worry about. I have changed my mind, I remind them. There is a strong evidence that they will too.