As the 2017-18 school year opens for students in our district in the very near future (August 28 for our traditional calendar schools) what better time to reflect on personal growth and gauge a self temperature check?
On December 30, 2016 I blogged about my #OneWord2017. At the time of the post I was an elementary curriculum coach spinning my wheels going through daily grind of 11.5 years in public education all at the elementary level in a variety of capacities. I had learned, grown and evolved as an educator, professionally and personally so much over the years but overall the next — was truly unwritten. 
Natasha Bedingfield’s lyrics to the song with the same name rang so true….
2017 came in with many changes. My beloved principal at my elementary school had just left to open a brand new school in our district.
I was loving what I was doing but deep down needed a change. That opportunity came when I least expected it and in March I made a difficult decision to leave the elementary world and so many amazing educators behind leaping to the middle school world as a curriculum coach when an perfect situation came my way.
A complete fish out of water feeling for several days, even weeks literally a sink or swim situation. I embraced it and kept it moving – I’m at home with the best yet to come.
We hear a lot of talk about risk, leaps of faith and #failforward moments. This experience has embraced all of the above and then some. I was taking another step toward writing the unwritten for 2017 in a significant way.
In between transferring from the elementary to the middle school world I was blessed with presenting and co-presenting in three sessions at the 2017 NCties (ISTE-affiliate) conference in Raleigh. Powerful experience being on the presenter end of this amazing conference.
As the months rolled on in my new role I continued to learn, grow and become more comfortable in the secondary setting. Growing capacity in myself and others.
Adding into the mix co-organizing a highly successful the spring edition of #EdCampWake was another growth opportunity where risk was taken and the reward was high.
My initial visit to the RACE: Are We So Different? exhibit in April led me to deepen my work with equity and education policy — while further seeing the shear power within “embracing the uncomfortable.” The power of personal growth in the exploration of the uncomfortable
Learning and growing with school and district peers this summer at ISTE 2017 in San Antonio fueled professional passion, growth and strengthened relationships. Further writing the “unwritten.”
Through all this I’ve gained a new job title for the new school year as well. Always growing, always learning. As we complete our beginning of 2017-18 meetings, trainings, “nuts and bolts” and gatherings before the students arrive. What will the final 4 months of 2017 hold? Who knows. I like the trajectory things are heading currently. I’m only as strong as those around me who guide me daily, help me #StriveForGreatness in our ongoing quest to #BecomeBetter. Best is yet to come! KOKO. (Keep on keeping on)
Rest of 2017? Unwritten….
BrendanFetters.com 
Love hearing about your journey. Learning about where you’ve been makes me appreciate your work even more. Let’s talk sometime soon about your vision for the fall. #coachlife
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Thank you, Ed! Yes!! Looking forward to vision sharing with you soon, brother! KOKO -Brendan
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I love this Brendan…yes, the best is yet to come! Looking forward to a new school year…serving with you, teaching and guiding our middle schoolers! Thank you for your positive attitude and always willing to help…I appreciate your being so inspiring! : ) Tanya
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Thank you for reading and your kind words, Tanya! Your positivity is contagious. KOKO -Brendan
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Brendan, I love the theme of this reflection- that risk-taking, despite the stress in the moment, helps us grow and proves to be worthwhile. This post is a great reminder to get through those changes and stressful times, as the ultimate goal is student and educator success!! I can see that 2017 has been an awesome yet crazy ride for you so far…I look forward to seeing how you write the rest! 😁
Nathalie
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Always growing and learning through risk. Easier said than done sometimes but the experience is often very fruitful. Thank you for reading and your kind words! I’m excited to follow your 2017-18 and beyond journey as well through blogs, social media, etc. as well, Nathalie! As for me the rest is still unwritten…. 🙂 KOKO -Brendan
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