Region 13: Stepping into Mid-Season Form!
Region 13 Update by Timothy Lee
Principal of Alcona Elementary, Region 13 Board of Directors Representative and Region 13 President
With all of the cold days we’ve experienced and the amount of snow on the ground, it’s hard to believe that spring training is already underway for a new season of major league baseball! The Tigers made some good moves in the off-season and hopefully can continue their success like the last few years they have shown—many of us are wearing the old English D with pride again! While each team has 162 games in the year, the work put in now will help set the stage for how the season goes. Baseball is one of the longest seasons of all professional sports, yet in education, we have them beat! Our ‘season’ is 180 games each year, even more when you factor staff professional development days, conferences and training in the summer and much more that goes into our season. While the players are just beginning their journey, those of us in schools know a different truth, we are already well into ours! By this point in the school year, the fundamentals are set, routines are established, relationships are built, and our teams are executing the daily work that doesn’t make highlight reels but wins games. Mid-season isn’t flashy, it’s gritty. Showing up consistently, adjusting strategies when needed, and keeping morale strong through a long stretch of meaningful work.
MLB teams have 26 on their active rosters, all of whom contribute in some capacity to help the team succeed. Our roster might be more or less, but regardless of how many staff we have, it is the combined effort of all: teachers, support staff, interventionists, office teams, custodian, lunch staff, bus drivers and more all play critical roles. As leaders, this is a time to make sure our team is supported and encouraged. A quick check-in, a word of appreciation, or stepping in to lighten someone’s load can be the same as a clutch play that changes the momentum of the game.
Mid-season is also when good coaches pay close attention to stamina. No team makes it to the postseason by running on empty, and the same is true for school leaders. Self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessary strategy. This may look like protecting time for rest, getting outside during the day, leaning on colleagues, or simply giving yourself permission to pause. When principals take care of ourselves, we model healthy habits and ensure we have the energy to lead effectively through the final stretch.
It’s easy this time of year to focus on what still needs to be done: assessments ahead, end-of-year events, staffing plans, and countless details. But mid-season is also the perfect moment to celebrate the wins we see every day. A student mastering a new skill. A teacher trying an innovative approach. A class that feels safe, joyful, and engaged. A new building that was recently opened and combines 3 elementary schools (wishing you the best Western team!!). These are the quiet victories that define a successful season, even if they don’t come with fireworks.
Baseball teams know championships aren’t won on Opening Day, they’re earned through steady effort, resilience, and belief in one another. As we continue through our school year, let’s lead like seasoned coaches: supporting our teams, caring for ourselves, and celebrating the small but powerful moments that remind us why this work matters.
The season is far from over, but we are exactly where we need to be!