(L) 1994 (R) 2018
It is my intention to share some reflections on the highs, the lows, the excitement, the routine, the successes, the failures and everything in between which I experience the course of the next 10 – 12 months, my first months as a full-time principal of a high school. Writing this journal will help me grow. Reading it may make you laugh…
22 | November | 2018 – THANKSGIVING
As today marks Thanksgiving, I wanted to set aside a moment’s reflection on the many things for which I am thankful and the many people to which I am grateful during these first months of my first year:
- to the committee of almost 20 people interviewed me last winter and passed my name on with the president of the school …
- to the president offered me the principalship …
- to my former employer who enabled me to start working at Mullen High School in the spring as I simultaneously wrapped up my position …
- to the members of the administrative team who offered their support right away, who helped me learn culture, who advised me …
- to the faculty that was incredibly welcoming, that helped me adjust and adjusted to me, who pitched in where asked, who did more than was simply their job, who gave and continue to give their all to our students …
- to people on the faculty and staff who have spent time in consultation and prayer with me …
- to members of the student body who dropped by my office to say hello these last months …
- to the parents who opened their hearts, shared their stories and their students, voiced their praise and concern …
- to the people from whom I have asked advice, time-and-again …
- to the interim president who mentors me to this day …
- to the writers of the anonymous letters I have received (you know who you are) – this is not a sarcastic thank you, I am very grateful …
- to the fact that my imagination is worse than any scenario I have encountered, but I am thankful to imagine the nth degree of things so that we can avoid it …
- to the people who have openly disagreed with me or shared their concerns with me (and to those considering doing so, please, please, please do!) …
- to my mother and sisters who listen to my stories (“only the names have been changed…”) …
- to my children who offer their unique insights on this work …
- to my wife – the smartest, bravest, best person I know whose tireless support, wise advice and abiding love I do not deserve.
I am so very grateful for all of the above that words hardly do my feelings justice. I am enjoying Thanksgiving Break. I will enjoy getting back to work!