I have heard so many over the years say that if they ever win the lottery they will donate a large portion of their millions to the Catholic Schools in Hays. Oh, how wonderful that would be! I was informed, though, that we would never happen. With, I'm sure, a quizzical look on my face, it was further explained that if we win the lottery we no longer will need to depend on God to take care of our schools.
In my very short time at Holy FamilyI have seen our school blessed in more ways than I could possibly count. In my 12 years at TMP I have been a beneficiary of so many great blessings. I have come to realize that God always takes care of all of my needs.
The trust fund of Leo J. and Albina Dreiling continues to reach out to our Catholic families more than they probably ever imagined. Not only does it continually support both of our schools' budgets financially, they set aside a specific amount of money to assist teachers with continued professional development. As a beneficiary of this generous program I have had the privilege to hear some of the greatest educational speakers. Dr. Robert Brooks enlightened my understanding of the quality of resiliency in children. Dr. Tim Elmore spoke about the characteristics of the next Generation of students and how to form leaders.
I will refer to these to leaders in the educational realm regularly. I think you will find that these two professors share with you many of the same desires you want for your own child...the ability to cope and bounce back when things do not go as planned, the ability to stand up for their beliefs with conviction, to be motivated, and in the end, to have the confidence to move on to the next stage of life.
Check out Dr. Brooks' monthly articles to read more about his topics that relate to you and your family. Click on Dr. Elmore's name for a 30 minute youtube video about how to nurture the leader in your own child. He also writes a blog that I think any educator or parent would be interested to read.
I am proud to say that the knowledge gained from the funds Dreiling Trust does not to stop with me. Those funds will now touch countless lives. Thank you to the late Leo J. and Albina Dreilng for having the foresight to see how they can continue to nurture the Catholic youth of the Heartland.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of education. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
I love this Martin Luther King, Jr. quote because it fits my educational philosophy perfectly. Of course, he does it so powerfully with few words and much more eloquently than I ever could have.
It matters not if they can memorize all of the states and captials, solve calculus equations in 6th grade, recite all the steps of mitosis, play an instrument with great proficiency, paint beautifully, or break the pull up gym record if they have not aquired the characteristics of integrity, responsibility, honesty, hard work, or ethical decision making we have failed them as teachers and parents.
To add to this we want them to grow up good Christian Catholic boys and girls, as Fr. Kevin said at our opening school mass. We truly want them to be "Christ to One Another" by honoring God, respecting one another, imitating Christ, and developing their talents to glorify God. That is why we recite this creed every morning after our school prayer and before the Pledge of Allegience. Let's join together to help our children grown up with all these attributes.
Each day we (faculty, staff, and parents) are closely scrutinized by our children. They see everything we do and they imitate it. Teaching and parenting is challenging, but I am always reminded, it is not always what we taught them, but how we made them feel. Do we make them feel loved and secure by setting boundaries and lovingly enforcing them? Do we make them feel uncomfortable when they have done something inapproriate or wrong? Do we make them feel challenged when they want to choose the easy route rather than the right route? When we do all of these we give them the coping skills to work through what is right and wrong, disappointment in the wrong decision, and understanding that they won't always get their way.
As a fellow parent and educator I recognize we are in the tough business of producing viable citizens, but the rewards are priceless, and when we recognize our work as God's work and follow through with it our reward is eternity.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
You Gotta Have Faith!
I didn't know if we would ever get here....school has started! From what I can tell, it was pretty split among parents and students as to whether they were ready for school to start or not, but everyone agreed that it was coming whether we were ready or not..that goes for me too. I'm not going to lie, the first 6 weeks as principal we very challenging for me. Of course this was further complicated by the illness and death of my grandfather just as I started the job. The truth is, anytime someone makes a job or position change, there is a learning curve until one is fully settled into the job.
My transition was no different; however, I think my learning curve is a little smaller since I was already familiar with much about our school. In these first few weeks many have shown me great mercy as most of the questions asked of me are replied with more questions rather than answers....and then sometimes a sigh....AND if it is really bad (embarassingly) a roll of the eyes (not intended toward anyone, just the situation!). I imagine this will be an ongoing thing for the next calendar year. I am thanking everyone in advance for their ongoing patience as I continue to figure things out.
Case in point.....two days before school started I had three people ask my about the school blessing on the first day. I had seen pictures of it on the school website, but never knew when it took place. So, I quickly had a conversation with Fr. Kevin and got everything lined out. We find the student papers, I email instructions, and we are underway. As I approach Fr. Kevin he says, "Oh, no bullhorn?" I say, "What bullhorn?" Yes, I have a sense that this type of conversation will happen more often than not for the next 10 months. My faculty and staff have been a wealth of help and information, but with new leadership, new office staff, and a new food program there are bound to be challenges.
My spirits have lifted significantly in the past week. Only a mere 10 days ago I was feeling incompetent and dumb since I had so few answers to the many, many, MANY questions. I gathered with my faculty and staff on Monday morning to share a message of TRUST in the Lord's plan for all of us. He has brought all of us together to share in His plan for our school, and we all have a special talent to share. I realized that I had to return to the reason why God brought me to Holy Family. Shortly thereafter, I was nurtured by the response from the rest of the staff.
Over our three daystogether we had a lot of fun comparing our generational values and looking at the characteristics of the generation of children we are currently teaching. I will share more about that with parents in future posts. I handed laptops out to all of the teachers. (I would love to take credit for getting them, but they were all waiting in the faculty room when I arrived in July.) The teachers shared what they learned at their summer workshops about the Common Core Standards. (You'll hear more about these as the year goes on.) We joined with the TMP faculty and staff for a morning retreat, liturgy, and lunch together to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption. Finally, after the first day of school the faculty and staff gathered for lunch and then another presentation on the Common Core Standards. As you can see, it was a VERY full week, but it was a FULFILLING week.
I'm not gonna lie...there were moments...there were moments when I wondered:
"What I have gotten myself into? You are in over your head!"
"How in the world are you going to be responsible for so many children and families?"
"Am I ever going to have more answers than questions?"
Yes, they were all self-doubting, but after my time with the faculty and staff, the hugs and well-wishes from my TMP colleagues, and all the wonderfully kind words from parents at the Back to School Bash I am reminded that God brought me here and has equipped me with all that I need to serve the faculty, staff, and families of Holy Family Elementary. Thank you for reminding me to have faith in God's plan for our schools. When we abandon ourselves to HIS plan for us, we can't go wrong. It doesn't mean it will always be easy, but He is constant, and if I rely on Him I can't lose.
My transition was no different; however, I think my learning curve is a little smaller since I was already familiar with much about our school. In these first few weeks many have shown me great mercy as most of the questions asked of me are replied with more questions rather than answers....and then sometimes a sigh....AND if it is really bad (embarassingly) a roll of the eyes (not intended toward anyone, just the situation!). I imagine this will be an ongoing thing for the next calendar year. I am thanking everyone in advance for their ongoing patience as I continue to figure things out.
Case in point.....two days before school started I had three people ask my about the school blessing on the first day. I had seen pictures of it on the school website, but never knew when it took place. So, I quickly had a conversation with Fr. Kevin and got everything lined out. We find the student papers, I email instructions, and we are underway. As I approach Fr. Kevin he says, "Oh, no bullhorn?" I say, "What bullhorn?" Yes, I have a sense that this type of conversation will happen more often than not for the next 10 months. My faculty and staff have been a wealth of help and information, but with new leadership, new office staff, and a new food program there are bound to be challenges.
My spirits have lifted significantly in the past week. Only a mere 10 days ago I was feeling incompetent and dumb since I had so few answers to the many, many, MANY questions. I gathered with my faculty and staff on Monday morning to share a message of TRUST in the Lord's plan for all of us. He has brought all of us together to share in His plan for our school, and we all have a special talent to share. I realized that I had to return to the reason why God brought me to Holy Family. Shortly thereafter, I was nurtured by the response from the rest of the staff.
Over our three daystogether we had a lot of fun comparing our generational values and looking at the characteristics of the generation of children we are currently teaching. I will share more about that with parents in future posts. I handed laptops out to all of the teachers. (I would love to take credit for getting them, but they were all waiting in the faculty room when I arrived in July.) The teachers shared what they learned at their summer workshops about the Common Core Standards. (You'll hear more about these as the year goes on.) We joined with the TMP faculty and staff for a morning retreat, liturgy, and lunch together to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption. Finally, after the first day of school the faculty and staff gathered for lunch and then another presentation on the Common Core Standards. As you can see, it was a VERY full week, but it was a FULFILLING week.
Mr. Dumler, Mrs. Collins, and Mr. Sauer worked on their powerpoint presentation on the common core standards. Mr. Sauer wowed us with his own version of Johnny Cash's "Walk the Line" with "Common Core Standards in Time."
Mrs. Sechtem was "it" and was challenged to "Walk by Faith, Not by Sight" as her team members gave her mixed instructions. She was a great sport!
I'm not gonna lie...there were moments...there were moments when I wondered:
"What I have gotten myself into? You are in over your head!"
"How in the world are you going to be responsible for so many children and families?"
"Am I ever going to have more answers than questions?"
Yes, they were all self-doubting, but after my time with the faculty and staff, the hugs and well-wishes from my TMP colleagues, and all the wonderfully kind words from parents at the Back to School Bash I am reminded that God brought me here and has equipped me with all that I need to serve the faculty, staff, and families of Holy Family Elementary. Thank you for reminding me to have faith in God's plan for our schools. When we abandon ourselves to HIS plan for us, we can't go wrong. It doesn't mean it will always be easy, but He is constant, and if I rely on Him I can't lose.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant
Greetings to everyone,
The title of my first post is a sentence that I have heard and has challenged me in my life. Many years ago this was spoken to me at a TMP faculty meeting by Jean Ross. She asked us what the good Lord would say to us when we finally entered his presence, and she said that she hopes to hear this phrase. Such a simple phrase, but so hard to do. It resonates in my head regularly, and it was a guide and part of my journey to this new chapter in my life.
I have truly been blessed with an opportunity to serve at Holy Family Elementary. While it was very hard to make the decision to leave TMP, a school and staff that I love, I know that the good Lord has a plan for me and it involves my presence at HFE. I have learned during my years at TMP that is futile to mess with God's plan for our schools, so I must embrace it.
In the past month I have been overwhelmed by the words of encouragement and support from all corners of the community. I could not ask for a warmer welcome (note, I am typing this when it is 110 degrees outside)! Please know that my feelings are mutual toward the staff and families of our school. Your hard work and support are what make HFE so incredibly special and successful.
Another important concept I have learned is that our lives are a journey, and now, we are all intertwined in this journey together. During this time when the map is not clear, we will take the wrong fork in the road, we might have to make a U-turn, or the car will breakdown altogether. Please know that we are all working for the best interest of all the students in our Catholic schools.
Please accept my most heartfelt thanks for making my first month at Holy Family memorable. I look forward to sharing in the education of all of the children in our school as we get the new year underway.
The title of my first post is a sentence that I have heard and has challenged me in my life. Many years ago this was spoken to me at a TMP faculty meeting by Jean Ross. She asked us what the good Lord would say to us when we finally entered his presence, and she said that she hopes to hear this phrase. Such a simple phrase, but so hard to do. It resonates in my head regularly, and it was a guide and part of my journey to this new chapter in my life.
I have truly been blessed with an opportunity to serve at Holy Family Elementary. While it was very hard to make the decision to leave TMP, a school and staff that I love, I know that the good Lord has a plan for me and it involves my presence at HFE. I have learned during my years at TMP that is futile to mess with God's plan for our schools, so I must embrace it.
In the past month I have been overwhelmed by the words of encouragement and support from all corners of the community. I could not ask for a warmer welcome (note, I am typing this when it is 110 degrees outside)! Please know that my feelings are mutual toward the staff and families of our school. Your hard work and support are what make HFE so incredibly special and successful.
Another important concept I have learned is that our lives are a journey, and now, we are all intertwined in this journey together. During this time when the map is not clear, we will take the wrong fork in the road, we might have to make a U-turn, or the car will breakdown altogether. Please know that we are all working for the best interest of all the students in our Catholic schools.
Please accept my most heartfelt thanks for making my first month at Holy Family memorable. I look forward to sharing in the education of all of the children in our school as we get the new year underway.
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