I am on retreat.  The last retreat I participated in was long ago and for religious purposes.  Today I am retreating with all of the principals in my cluster of schools and we are planning for the new year.  Taking part in these daily activities brings back memories – all good ones.

I am about two hours away from home in the town of Bethany Beach.  We are at the home of our Executive Director and I am currently sitting in her kitchen, sipping coffee, at the farmhouse table that overlooks the canal behind her home where her boat is docked.  Tough life.  She is gracious in letting us take over her home, all seven bedrooms, and the grand space with the flat screen tv’s we are using for the large group sessions with the consultant.

It has been a long time since I have been asked to do ‘team building’ exercises.  How can I perform our school’s vision and mission using mime?  Well I had to think about that last night and today will be displaying my end result.  I am hearing the usual buzz words as we talk about achievement and what measures we will use to measure such a thing.

More importantly, this time is an opportunity for us to get to know one another.  Sitting in a lovely house one block from the beach (rain preventing even a small walk!) we all sit and talk, share a meal of take-out, and laugh.  That’s a good sign.  I have worked with two of the people present before, one of the principals and the head of schools.  We were all principals together the last time I worked in the DC area back in 1999 and 2000.  Everyone else I met for the first time and we share many things in common, like our passion for education and love of the show Top Chef.

There are four men, including myself.  The other three men are married with children and are all pastors or assistant pastors in their churches.  Deeply rooted in their beliefs, I look forward to future religious conversations…but not yet, why spoil the initial fun feelings of being together?

The retreat started yesterday and ends this afternoon with lunch.  I am ready to go….not leave here, but ready to take charge and start the process of change in my school.  This was a good time away from schools and offices and ringing phones to have an opportunity to talk, and reflect, and plan.  Now I have a greater sense of who we are and the mission we hold ourselves to.  Let the fun begin!!