Other Duties As Assigned

The season comes to an end with this finale, complete with one final conversation with a child of mine. It has become tradition (can I call it a tradition when I've only had two seasons of this podcast?) that one of my episodes shows the mom-side of my life. So here I am, talking through some of life's biggest questions with my youngest daughter. She'll send you on your way at the end of the episode with "Heads Down, Prayers Up."

Thank you for making this season so much fun for me to record. You can always reach out to me with ideas, who you would like to hear from, or just to say hello! You can email me (jpick@stcecilia.net), follow me on Twitter (@PrincipalPick) or follow my blog (https://juliapick.blog/). "See" you next season when Season 3 becomes available. Mark your calendars for June 2022!

This episode is all about the kids, which isn't that what this job is all about?! In this episode, you're going to hear from eight 8th grade students that are clumped together into groups (of their choosing) and I ask them all sorts of questions. Some of these kiddos have been attending our school (or Child Care Center) since they were itty bitty. These interviews were recorded in mid-May, during the last week of school for these kids. You get to hear their perspective about Catholic school (ugh uniforms), traditions (Cathedralfest), and community (could these kids love their friends any more?)! 

During the interviews you'll know why I love my job so much. I get to come to school every day and be around these kids. Every. Single. Day. And I get paid for it!

One week down for the 2020-21 school year and....it's too early to count how many are left. This episode is a summary of each day with in-person instruction, in masks, with all of the safety precautions in place for COVID. 

Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@PrincipalPick) for updates on when to expect the next season of Other Duties As Assigned. Until then, heads down and prayers up for all students, teachers, and educators for the 2020-21 school year. 

It's the night before returning to school and just like a kid, I can't seem to settle my mind! This episode I share with you three ingredients to success that I believe all of us need this school year from our communities. Whether you are starting in-person, remote, or with a hybrid in between, a growth mindset is needed to make this all work.

For future episodes ideas or to offer feedback, feel free to contact me at jpick@stcecilia.net. Until next time, hearts open and prayers up!

What are administrators thinking when interviewing teacher candidates? This episode sheds some light on this and then you get to hear from two of our new team members - Hannah and ummmm (checks notes) Hannah! These two energetic young women are new to the St. Cecilia community and new to teaching. So prayers up for their first year!

This one is a short one folks! All it takes is ten short minutes to listen in and see how you can help support all the educators in your lives this summer, fall, and probably beyond that!

This week's podcast is all about having fun! In addition to being the principal at St. Cecilia Cathedral Grade School, I am also a mom to four kids, three of which who attend school there. Since we are on summer break and social distancing rules still apply in our community, this week's Kid Segment is just two of my kids and I talking about, well...see for yourself!

In this week's episode, I talk about the most honored part of Catholic education, family.  Well, I don't talk about it much but I have one of St. Cecilia's legends, Milly Garcia, discuss what it means to her.  Milly just turned in her keys to St. Cecilia and retired this year.  I wanted to "get her on tape" to talk about her teaching experiences, advice for colleagues, and anything else that came up!  Best of luck with retirement Milly and remember you can always come back home if you get bored!

Want to know what Mrs. Pick, a Catholic school principal, thinks about COVID-19?!  This episode is maybe not what you think.  We could all write a book on the negatives of this health pandemic but I am sharing with you three important take-aways and what this virus has taught me about education.

I am looking for topics for next week's podcast.  Please email me at jpick@stcecilia.net if you have something you would like for me to cover!

This week I introduce you to the most important part of Catholic education - tradition!  Each school has its' own thing, whether it's an event, fundraiser, or special day.  There is a reason we love our uniforms so much and it's because we've had them for 45 years!

Cathy Lyons, a 4th grade teacher at St. Cecilia Cathedral, is our special guest this week.  After a full career at St. Cecilia, she is turning in her keys and retiring at the end of next week.  Not only did she attend St. Cecilia as a kid, but so did her kids, and she has so much wisdom to offer all of us through this time of distance learning.  You'll love her, as everyone here at St. Cecilia does!  Lots of questions were submitted by her current 4th graders, fellow colleagues, and her first Kindergarten class from 1977.

*Please forgive the microphone goof this week.  I promise to make sure both are working next week so you can hear me more clearly.

This is the introduction to a podcast that pulls the curtain back on education.  Coming to you in the middle of the COVID-19 health pandemic, many parents are experiencing the growing pains of what it means to be a teacher.  How can I get this kid to listen to me?  Do they really have to know how to multiply fractions?  When was the last time I multiplied fractions as an adult?  When is an acceptable time to have wine?

Being a principal is weird.  You spend your day putting on so many different hats:  solving bathroom mysteries (what IS that in the corner), handwriting analysis on dropped notes, conflict resolution, and even vomit patrol.  I spend 90% of my day doing the last bullet point of my contract - other duties as assigned.

Join me on this journey to learn more about what happens in the principal's office because I'm guessing it's not what you expect.