In response to the 11/20/ 2010 post, “Yes, I Know the Hours are Long – Part 4,” a LYS Assistant Principal writes: Sometimes the work just balances out. There are days when you put in more hours than you want to, but need to. Then there are days when you work a straight eight. Sometimes you have to give a little to get a little and hope that when all is done you will come out ahead. If in the long run, everything does not balance out for you, then you have to re-evaluate your time and determine what you can do differently in the future. Something is tripping you up – maybe you are not focused enough, maybe you are taking unnecessary steps, or maybe you are omitting something critical. Many find this re-evaluation easier when done with someone else. A new perspective might help you make better use of your time. SC Response Here is what I know. It is exceedingly difficult to objectively examine your own practice, especially as you are doing it. On the other hand, it is not a difficult process to objectively examine the practice of someone else. That is the power of coaching. Watch a college or pro football game. When the offense or defense goes off the field, the players go to a coach and actually look at pictures of the plays that they just ran. They strategize and plan for adjustments and then hit the field again in the span of just minutes. It is now a part of the game and for the players to operate at the peak of their effectiveness, an absolute necessity. When the same practice is brought into the classroom, the positive effect is so dramatic that it borders on hyperbole. However there is a transition period. Initially, many teachers bristle under the increased scrutiny and many feel as if they are being judged. And in non-LYS schools, with non-LYS trained administrators, this often is the case. But LYS focuses on increasing effectiveness and performance. We honestly don’t care where one begins, what we care about is the journey. Every one of us has room for improvement and can use a coach. The day one no longer believes this is the case is the day that person has committed the unforgivable professional sin of not being coachable. Think. Work. Achieve. Your turn…Attend the LYS Presentation at the National Conference on EducationAttend the LYS Presentation at the TASB Winter Legal ConferenceVisit the LYS Booth at the NASSP ConferenceAttend the LYS Presentation at the Texas Middle School Conference