2014 has been a year of firsts for me. The two biggest, I became an Assistant Principal and I surfed for the first time. The questions are, What have I learned from it? How has it impacted my life and has it brought me closer to my goals?
What did I learn? I learned it takes courage to take the first step. Whether it was walking into a new position at school or going into the surf, I was fearful at times. Trying something new and only having knowledge without experience in doing it can be overwhelming. However, I have had some great mentors. Mentors that can help me see things that I never payed attention to before. I find myself looking at moments in time differently. Now, when I walk on the beach I am watching the waves. I'm learning how to read them. I now know what a "dumpy" wave is :) and how they are not so good to surf on. I am learning to read how a school moves forward and paying attention to things I had not seen before. I am thankful for my mentors both at school and at the beach for being patient and helping me see where to put my attention to get better.
How has it impacted my life? It has made me want to tackle new adventures. This year has been a reminder that I need to run full speed into my adventures. It's funny how with some adventures I am ready to go full speed and others not so much. This fact has made me look at the reasons why I fear some things and not others. I am determined to face my fears and conquer them. It is extremely exhilarating to push my fears aside and jump. I love this feeling but have to make myself run towards the cliff screaming "Geronimo".
Has it brought me closer to my goals? I am moving in the right direction. January of 2014 I started praying for a few things...
1. Awaken the dreams within me.
2. Put me in the right place at the right time and help me see to take the opportunity.
3. Help me put on my waders.
4. Help me sow peace, hope, encouragement, and love.
I have seen my dreams and imagination greatly increase to the point I now wade through them and try to figure out what to do with them all. I have added some to my One Day List and others I laugh at and figure it was something I ate. (But you never know... the dreams we laugh at might be the best dreams.)
I prayed to be at the right place at the right time and things fell into place. I have been in the right place at the right time and met new people. I have no doubt I am where I should be for this time of my life. It helps during the hard times to know I am in this place for a reason. "For such a time as this."
I asked for help to put on my waders. This goes back to a story from the book The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. A group of farmers were in desperate need of rain for their crops. They decided to meet and pray for rain. One of the farmers came dressed in his waders because he had enough faith it would be raining so hard on his way home that he would need them. And yes, it rained. I want that kind of faith and boldness to take the chance to look foolish.
I want to sow peace, hope, encouragement, and love. I like to see the good in people. I like to see their potential. I know it is hard for some people to understand and have been told that people will always let you down. I get that. However, if I allow others to not be perfect there is something liberating in that act. I know I am not perfect and have and will let people down. I will try to do my best but I know there will be times I come up short. Therefore, I choose to look at the person we strive to be. We can have hope that one day we will reach our personal goals. Sometimes we have to encourage others to believe in themselves and help them love themselves so they can love others.
My life is far from perfect, but I am moving beyond myself on this journey.
2014 was a crazy wild ride. I can't wait to see the adventure of 2015!
My Today,
Christy
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Friday, August 15, 2014
The First Week With Teachers
The first week with teachers was great! I have meet so many wonderful new people.
The meetings, professional developments, schedule changes, building maintenance, learning new procedures, tweaking old procedures, and Meet The Teacher required being at work early and getting home late, but I can say it has all been worth it. I have an amazing principal and am blessed that she is allowing me to spread my wings and lead beside her.
What have I learned this week?
I realized I naturally treat people like they are volunteers. It is actually a good thing. I know teachers are paid to do their job, however, they must feel appreciated and know their work has purpose, otherwise, they might check out mentally and not reach their potential. They have the ability to change the world by touching the lives of one child.
I am more crazy about being organized than I thought. I have always wished I was a little more of a neat freak and didn't believe clutter bothered me. I was wrong. Actually I have discovered I do have strong feelings about where things belong. I believe the older I get the more it matters. (Don't get me wrong, I still hate to clean! lol)
The only way I can explain how things have fallen together is divine design. I have no doubt this is where I am suppose to be. I have experienced God's favor in timing most of all. Being in the right place at the right time to get the phone call for an interview when we were in an area with NO cell service for 2 days. Having the district tech guy walk in just in time to solve the computer issue for an important meeting. The list goes on and on.
I am stretching and it feels good.
My Today,
Christy
The meetings, professional developments, schedule changes, building maintenance, learning new procedures, tweaking old procedures, and Meet The Teacher required being at work early and getting home late, but I can say it has all been worth it. I have an amazing principal and am blessed that she is allowing me to spread my wings and lead beside her.
What have I learned this week?
I realized I naturally treat people like they are volunteers. It is actually a good thing. I know teachers are paid to do their job, however, they must feel appreciated and know their work has purpose, otherwise, they might check out mentally and not reach their potential. They have the ability to change the world by touching the lives of one child.
I am more crazy about being organized than I thought. I have always wished I was a little more of a neat freak and didn't believe clutter bothered me. I was wrong. Actually I have discovered I do have strong feelings about where things belong. I believe the older I get the more it matters. (Don't get me wrong, I still hate to clean! lol)
The only way I can explain how things have fallen together is divine design. I have no doubt this is where I am suppose to be. I have experienced God's favor in timing most of all. Being in the right place at the right time to get the phone call for an interview when we were in an area with NO cell service for 2 days. Having the district tech guy walk in just in time to solve the computer issue for an important meeting. The list goes on and on.
I am stretching and it feels good.
My Today,
Christy
Saturday, August 9, 2014
My Assistant Principal Journey Begins!
What a journey the last year has been!
I am so excited about the adventure ahead of me as an Assistant Principal. This year will be a year to stretch. I have just finished my first full week and have started building relationships with my colleagues. I have learned more about facilities than I ever thought I could in just one week. I'm actually proud of myself.
In the last two years I have learned so much. There are times I imagine bits of knowledge slipping out of my head and dropping to the ground as I walk. I don't want to forget any of it, so I continue to study. The more I learn the more I always seem to realize how much I don't know. I am committed to being a life long learner. It's time to stretch!
My Today,
Christy
I am so excited about the adventure ahead of me as an Assistant Principal. This year will be a year to stretch. I have just finished my first full week and have started building relationships with my colleagues. I have learned more about facilities than I ever thought I could in just one week. I'm actually proud of myself.
In the last two years I have learned so much. There are times I imagine bits of knowledge slipping out of my head and dropping to the ground as I walk. I don't want to forget any of it, so I continue to study. The more I learn the more I always seem to realize how much I don't know. I am committed to being a life long learner. It's time to stretch!
My Today,
Christy
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Waiting...
Waiting... whether waiting for a package to be delivered or test results... the process of waiting is very hard. Perhaps it is hardest because of the unknown.
Not knowing...
Not being able to make plans...
The possibilities that can run through your mind, whether positive or negative, can be overwhelming. So then my focus must be deliberate and positive. I have faith that all things work together for my good.
I am reminded of my favorite quote...
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: ‘Wow! What a ride!’”
My plans are to live life to its fullest... everyday... no regrets...
Love, Laugh, and Play Hard...
There is so much more I want to do... One Day...
My Today,
Christy
My plans are to live life to its fullest... everyday... no regrets...
Love, Laugh, and Play Hard...
There is so much more I want to do... One Day...
My Today,
Christy
Sunday, December 23, 2012
And then it was over...
One year ago I set out on a new journey for my masters in Educational Leadership at Stetson University. Mission accomplished!! I must say Stetson was the right choice. But what a bitter sweet finish. I am so thankful to have my Saturday's back, however I miss spending my time with some amazing people. Over the course of the year I have spent about 400 hours with the same group of people. We have shared many laughs together. As I move forward with my career I know I will have amazing colleagues to help guide me along the way.
Things I will always remember...
It's about systems...
If you could effectively explain to Dr. Eply why his daughter was searched then your safe...
Make sure your School Improvement Plan is culturally responsive...
Be mindful of your weaknesses and work on them...
Collaborate with others... the results are amazing...
Never stop dreaming...
Take a break, have lunch with friends, and smile...
My Today... My Year...
Christy
Things I will always remember...
It's about systems...
If you could effectively explain to Dr. Eply why his daughter was searched then your safe...
Make sure your School Improvement Plan is culturally responsive...
Be mindful of your weaknesses and work on them...
Collaborate with others... the results are amazing...
Never stop dreaming...
Take a break, have lunch with friends, and smile...
My Today... My Year...
Christy
Saturday, October 13, 2012
"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for." Ephesians 1:11
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love." Romans 8:38
Things don't always go as planned...
We don't always know the future...
But it sure is nice to know that all of it can't take away His love.
My Today,
Christy
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love." Romans 8:38
Things don't always go as planned...
We don't always know the future...
But it sure is nice to know that all of it can't take away His love.
My Today,
Christy
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Risk Takers
Reflecting on a good word this week...
There are five kinds of people...
Those that hear, those that oppose things, those that don't know, those that help those who make things happen, and those that make things happen.
Those who make things happen are risk takers. To be a risk taker you have to have faith. Faith that you will reach something better.
I loved this... it is so true...
You can't discover new oceans if you are not willing to loose sight of the shore.
A move like that creates big change and change is hard.
We have to be risk takers and leave our comfort zones and do something new.
I commit to Motion... taking risks to do something new...
Making changes to change others lives...
I'm committed to discovering new oceans!
My Today,
Christy
There are five kinds of people...
Those that hear, those that oppose things, those that don't know, those that help those who make things happen, and those that make things happen.
Those who make things happen are risk takers. To be a risk taker you have to have faith. Faith that you will reach something better.
I loved this... it is so true...
You can't discover new oceans if you are not willing to loose sight of the shore.
A move like that creates big change and change is hard.
We have to be risk takers and leave our comfort zones and do something new.
I commit to Motion... taking risks to do something new...
Making changes to change others lives...
I'm committed to discovering new oceans!
My Today,
Christy
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Perspective
Keeping our world in perspective is hard to do sometimes. The truth is I see the 20% of my life and habits I am working on and forget the 80% I'm successful with. I don't know about everyone else but life can be tough when you see with tunnel vision. I know I get that way... I will be focusing on a task and loose sight of my surroundings. (I'm super bad about not speaking to people when on a mission. I'm working on that.) I never want to get to where I forget to tell my family and friends how much they mean to me. I was reminded tonight that we don't know how long we have with them, so cherish each day as if it were the last.
Lord, help me to see the big picture. Thank you for my family and friends. I am thankful for their support. Be with those who have lost their loved ones. Give them the peace they need to navigate through this life.
My Today,
Christy
Lord, help me to see the big picture. Thank you for my family and friends. I am thankful for their support. Be with those who have lost their loved ones. Give them the peace they need to navigate through this life.
My Today,
Christy
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