Focus

When I first started meditating back during the COVID days, it was a way to find a bit of calm in the middle of a hectic educational leadership role. Over time, meditation became part of my routine—not to make my days perfect, but to help me become more intentional.

I’ll be honest: I used to be the multitasker in IEP meetings. With over 150 of these meetings a year, it was so tempting to just handle emails or other tasks on the side. But then I had a bit of a realization. Each IEP meeting is incredibly important to that one family, that one student, and that one teacher. Even though it was just one of many for me, it was a big deal for them. I realized I needed to be fully present not just for my own peace of mind, but out of respect for the people in that room.

To help myself do that, I created a little IEP reflection sheet. It was a simple tool to bring my focus back whenever I drifted. And that shift really changed how I approached those meetings. It was no longer about juggling tasks, but about giving each family the attention they deserved.

And of course, meditation doesn’t make life perfect. I still walk into days where unexpected challenges pop up—a teacher out sick, a student incident, or a concerned parent. But now I meet those moments with a bit more clarity and calm.

So I’d love to hear from you: have you ever had a moment where you realized you needed to be more present? How do you bring mindfulness into your own routine? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to learn from your experiences too