Permission to Rest 2 - Jessica Cabeen

May Fog is Real—Almost There, But Exhausted

by Jessica Cabeen | May 17, 2025 | Permission to Rest, Principal in Balance

May Fog.It’s not a formal diagnosis, but every educator I know knows it when it hits. It’s that moment in the school year—usually around the second or third week of May—when everything feels heavier. Emails blur together. The to-do list is longer than the school...

Wrestling with Rest While Wrapping Up the School Year

by Jessica Cabeen | Apr 30, 2025 | Permission to Rest, Principal in Balance

Each year around this time, I find myself standing at the same familiar crossroads. The calendar says “almost there.”My mind says “hold on tight.”And my body says… “are you sure we’re going to make it?” May has a way of sneaking up on school leaders.It’s...

Leaving the Lights On.How to Shine Bright at the End of the School Year.

by Jessica Cabeen | May 11, 2024 | Lead with Grace, Permission to Rest

As May wraps us in its fatigue-inducing embrace, our minds grow foggy, and our spirits dim. It’s that point in the school year when time seems to lose shape, and the only countdown on our minds is summer break. Cheetos replace packed lunches, and coffee becomes...

Preparing to Pause: A Framework for School Leaders

by Jessica Cabeen | Mar 27, 2024 | Permission to Rest, Principal in Balance

Are you dreaming of a three-week beach vacation or a leisurely long weekend? As school leaders, we excel at being constantly available for everyone. But what happens when we crave a few days to sign off? Do you ever feel like you ‘can’t’? I certainly...

Preparing to Pause: A Framework for Planning a Break From Work

by Jessica Cabeen | Dec 16, 2023 | Permission to Rest, Principal in Balance

Preparing to Pause: A Framework for Planning a Break From Work How are you? No, really. As we wrap up 2023 at school, it’s not just about tying up projects and closing out events. There’s a flurry of activities at home too. The end of December brings a...

Encouragement at the End of the School Year.

by Jessica Cabeen | May 21, 2023 | Permission to Rest, Principal in Balance, Unconventional Leadership

May. Yes, it is really May. The snow is melting (finally), our school calendars are on a countdown, and the end of the year is near. So how do you stay encouraged at the end of something that you might be sad to say goodbye to? And what can you say to others who...