Incident #1: I approached the door of a classroom where a grade team meeting was being held, balancing a box of file folders, my iPad, and a clipboard with papers. Using my elbow, I knocked on the door. A male teacher glanced in my direction but continued working. I knocked again, expecting that he might open the door and hold it for me. Instead, he opened it about six inches and let go of the handle. Realizing what was happening, I used my entire body to swing the door open, quickly stepping inside before it could slam shut.

During Week 1, I received some impactful feedback that truly made me reflect. One of our school’s guidance counselors praised me for remaining calm and composed during a challenging situation. We had planned a town hall event in the library, but when we arrived, the library was occupied. As a result, seventy-five middle schoolers were lined up in the hallway, waiting and creating quite a bit of noise. Despite the chaos, I reassured a staff member that we would find a solution, which helped to swiftly address the situation. The guidance counselor noticed this and appreciated how I handled it, highlighting the importance of maintaining a steady demeanor in the face of adversity.