Ready, get set...

We're almost a go.

Marrying a teacher has its benefits. I was ready to get the ball rolling and start my admin. credential program (the hurdle between me becoming a principal) this fall, when my drive came to an abrupt stop. The tuition for the program busted the wallet. The word 'postponed' appeared above my head in a cloud like a cartoon. I was going to have to save and wait it out. Nothing is more frustrating than having to sit on the sidelines when you're ready to get in the game.

Then something happened...

My wife, who works for a different school district, got wind of an admin program through her department of ed. The tuition cost was 1/3 of the other program I was considering. GAME ON!

I have to forfeit 22 Saturdays, but that's a small price to pay. This September I become both teacher and student in the hopes of becoming the principal.

3 words I need to remember

Commitment

Dedication

Excellence

Pedals, strokes, and strides

I'm headed back to the gym. The leg/knee is feeling pretty good. Going to create the ultra mini-triathlon. Walk a little, pedal a bit, and swim a few strokes. Doing a complete tri is my ultimate goal. Way I figure it... a little is better than none.

Letters of Rec

So I started making my first steps toward becoming a principal a few weeks ago. In order to be a principal you have to have an admin. credential much like teachers have to have a teaching credential. One of the application requirements for the credential program is to have letters of recommendation from people you have worked with that have seen you in a leadership type role blah blah blah.

I've had to ask for letters of rec. a lot in my life because it's a big part of the post-grad and teaching profession. The thing is... I can never get use to how nice they sound. I mean in a weird way they have to be over the top in their praise otherwise you may not get admission into a program or get a job. I always wondered who reads these letters and do they really get a good sense of who the person is before meeting them. When I read the amazing letters I requested from my principal and a supervisor for our ELL (English Language Learners) program I couldn't help but think... is that me? Even the wife said, "Who are you?" I know I can be many things, (weird, funny, loud, awesome) but it's weird how I have grown professionally. The seven year ago me would never be able to recognize the present day me.

About that Triathlon...

So the three components to a triathlon are swimming, biking, and running. Of these three I cannot do one. Not saying that in a defeatist kind of way, but in a I-really-can't-do-it kind of way. A major hurdle preventing me from accomplishing this goal is that I'm recovering from ACL surgery. This rehab is taking a long, long time. I keep saying I am improving with each passing day, but man! We are like on week 10 since the surgery.

---Funny Story --- For the first 4 weeks after surgery I had to wear a huge leg brace. My second grade students asked me tons of questions and I always answered them. Confused, a student asks how they made my leg okay if the ligament was torn. I informed her and the class that they took a part from a dead person and put in me. I found out from a parent that my students think I have a dead person's leg. NICE!

Beginnings

I have enjoyed a great life, but I want to accomplish so much more. This is the beginning of a journey whereby I hope to accomplish five goals:

• Continue to be a supportive husband to an amazing wife
• Be someone's dad
• Have a house preferably with a legendary MAN ROOM
• Be a school principal
• Be a triathlete

I feel all these goals are more then attainable. The only question is do I have the heart, desire, and patience to get to my goals. I look forward to the challenge.