I admit it. I kept hitting the snooze this morning, knowing full well how much time it takes me to get ready and get out in the morning.  And this morning I knew I had something to do – back to the old professional development.  Just when I was getting into summer mode.  Anyway, I pushed it to the bitter end, taking everything into consideration so that I would pull up, park, walk in and be in place right at 10:00 a.m.  Except I didn’t take into account that there wouldn’t be any parking.

So, I’m thinking, how bad could it be?   I’ll just walk in quietly a few minutes late, right? I’ll slip in the back and get right in the swing.  Besides, I know this bunch – they’ll be talking and catching up even though it’s been less than a week since school let out.  I follow the signs to the rooms where the PD is being held and there’s no way to know which class is which, except for the room with all the general music teachers, already singing and playing instruments on the floor.  Not what I’m doing today.  I walk to another room where everyone is facing me (gulp) and it’s dead quiet except for one person who is is introducing herself with pronouns.  I walk in quietly, sit in the front row, in front of the guest speaker (gulp #2) and realize I have to introduce myself.  “And last but not least…” the speaker says, pointing to me. “My name is Judy Bush, and yes I’m late but that’s just how I roll”. THAT’S JUST HOW I ROLL??!!??

Why in the world did I just say that?  My attempt at being funny?  Nervousness?  There was a quiet little laugh from a few but as soon as it came out of my mouth I regretted it.  “I’ve been at my current elementary for three years but just finished my 28th year of teaching”.  My lack of professionalism on many fronts contradicted my years of experience at that point. What must my colleagues think of me?  That I’m too good to show up on time?  That I don’t care that I didn’t show up on time?

The speaker was very gracious and proceeded to go into his presentation on running a vocal rehearsal, something I could definitely use a refresher on.  About fifteen minutes into the presentation he starts to talk about punctuality; “to be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late and to be late is unacceptable”.  I could feel my body sinking into my chair.  Not only was I late but I seemed unapologetic for it.  “That’s just how I roll”??!!??  Seriously?  All I could think of was what would my high school band director say to me.  It wouldn’t be good.

I later apologized to the speaker for my lateness and shared with him the fact that he had convicted me for sure.  Even at my age with my experience, I still make horrid mistakes sometimes.  It’s what keeps me humble whenever I start to feel like I’m all that.  Again, the man was gracious and laughed at it, probably knowing that it won’t happen again.

But that’s the thing about life.  Just when you think you’ve got it, life reminds you that you don’t.  A great thing to remember when I have kids in my classroom.  They’re going to do and say things that are not ok, but before I get on them, I need to remember to be a good example first and be careful of the things that pop out of my mouth as well.  Not what I expected to learn today during my professional development but definitely a lesson worth re-learning.  Cause that’s just how I roll.