Giving Thanks

In the midst of the recent terror attacks in Paris and the home invasion and shooting of a young mother and wife, I needed to take a break from all the bad in the world to watch something heartwarming. So on this chilly Saturday morning, I decided to check out what was on Netflix. I chose a Christmas movie (I am sure from the Hallmark or Lifetime channel). The movie was about a family whose young son was dying from cancer, and the entire neighborhood pulled together to give him one last Christmas. I didn't realize that I would cry through the entire movie, and I didn't realize that it would inspire me to update my blog. Four out of my five children are grown, and my youngest step-daughter lives with her mom, so we normally only see her every other weekend, but the movie made me question if I had spent enough time with my kids as they were growing-up. As adults, my children have their own lives--their own friends, jobs or college, and their own interests. I miss the sounds of their laughter and silliness, and seeing them in their PJs playing video games or watching movies--I even miss their bickering and arguing. I know as adults, they are healthy and happy. I also know that they are really good people, so it makes missing them a little easier. As an educator for the past 23 years, I have seen students grow-up and start their own lives. I am always surprised when one of them posts on social media that they are celebrating their 29th birthday, or they are having a baby, or that their oldest child is starting Kindergarten. I still see them as the young, awkward teens that I once knew. Time goes by so quickly, and in a blink of an eye, the baby you are holding right now or the the toddler that is making messes all over the house, or the elementary child you are taxiing all over town for activities, or the teenager that you are always arguing with will be an adult. Time is fleeting, so in this season of thanks and giving, take a few minutes to give thanks for the blessings in your life and to cherish those blessings. We need to remember what is good about our lives and cherish those fleeting moments with the people we love. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Being married to a cop

The news media lately has been blowing up the airwaves about police brutality, excessive force, and race-related shootings/murders. (My personal opinion of the news media is that they have become rating mongers who sell their souls to sensationalize stories to the public to boost their ratings and their sponsorships, but that is a different blog for a different day.) I want to tell America that my husband is a good--no a GREAT cop--who does not believe he is above the law but is a servant of the law. I am not the only one who thinks he is a great cop--most everyone who meets him thinks he is a great cop. (I also have to mention that he doesn't like the word cop--he prefers police officer.) I had the privilege today of attending my 13th superintendent's retreat, and I heard current and recently graduated students who expressed what RRISD mean to them. Several of these students knew my husband because he serves as a School Resource Officer (SRO) for one of the high schools. These students mentioned to me how much they like my husband and how much they respect the work he does. This is not an uncommon story---everyone I meet tells me the same thing. My husband makes a difference in the lives of countless community members that he serves---kids and parents. He has a genuine love and appreciation for humans, and he has the capacity to relate to people and humbly help them. He is a gentle giant who will go the extra mile to make sure that this community is safe and understands that police officers are truly here to protect and to serve. He is really good at both. Everywhere we go, people remember him. It isn't because he is 6'4" and weighs about 275 or that he missed his calling as a stand-up comedian, but it is because of the way he cares for them, or protects them, or serves them as a servant of the law. He has disdain for police officers who abuse their powers or who resort to violence before they use "verbal judo"--the ability to calm a person or a situation down. I am not saying that he has never had to go hands on with someone, but I am saying that he uses that as his very last option; consequently, he has made more ER trips than I care to count. Many people don't realize that good police officers will often hurt themselves trying to restrain an offender so the offender isn't injured; moreover, they also don't realize that good cops don't like to hurt people. I know there are bad cops on our streets and in police departments across America, and I am not excusing their actions. I simply want to point out that there are some very good police officers serving and protecting our communities, and I am fortunate to be married to one of the best. I am thankful for the work he does, but I am also cognizant that every day that he puts on that uniform and walks out that door, he is putting his life at risk---the media doesn't tell you that. As a public servant, I want to recognize all the other public servants who humbly serve our communities and want to make a small difference in the world--social workers, teachers, fire fighters, EMTs, council members, and police officers. Thank you for your service to our communities---you deserve a standing ovation for doing the jobs that others can't or won't do. As far as the police brutality and the race-related shootings/murders, this is indicative of societal ill that we must address (once again, a different blog for a different day), but don't lump all police officers into the category of "bad cop" because many of them are excellent, and I don't even want to imagine our society without them.

Happy Spring Break

I hope that you are able to take some time this spring break for rest and renewal.  Testing season begins when we return, so please take this time to "de-stress." Enjoy your time with family and friends.

It's Texas Legislative Season

The Legislature is in session, and once again, the topic of school finance will be debated.  As school districts begin planning for next year, new and innovative options are put on hold as we wait with "crossed fingers" to see the impact Legislative representatives will have on local school budgets. Money Still Matters! by the Equity Center is a great resource to read as it discusses why school funding should not be cut, but rather, it should be increased. Please write your Texas representative and ask them to do the right thing for Texas schools. Public education is and will continue to be our greatest investment in human capital.

Exciting things happening...

There are 10 days left of October. The end of the month brings many fun things for students and staff.  The first is Red Ribbon week next week.  The kids and faculty love dressing up on the different themed days.  We also end our week with Halloween, and the annual faculty Halloween costume contest.  I never know what crazy costumes I will see from my staff---rumor this year is that "something wicked" is coming to DMS on Halloween day! Our fall excursions are next week on the early release day, and the kids are very excited.  I love excursion day as teachers bring out their creative best to enrich the TEKS they are currently teaching. Happy end of October everyone!

Do a little dance...

Great time at the 1st dance!

And it is October...

I am knocking on wood right now because for the most part we have had a really smooth start to the 2014-15 school year. August and September came and went, and the excitement of the beginning of the year is now beginning to fade.  I refer to October as "Shocktober," because students are settling into the routine of learning, and the honeymoon period is over.  It is the month when grades are first due, discipline issues begin to surface, and the workload for teachers increases. We begin noticing students who have gaps in their learning, students who are apathetic, and students who have difficulties in their personal life, and we begin the work of supporting and helping them.  Teaching is hard work--it takes patience and out of the box thinking.  If you think that teachers still teach the way that you were taught as a child, then think again. Teachers today have to wear many hats, and our students are expected to do more and more while the funding is increasingly less and less. So, as we settle into October, I am continuously looking for ways to support my teachers so they can do the work--the work of teaching and learning. I told my staff yesterday that my primary role is to support them and to "lead them into the October battle."  I told them that "I will die on that hill for them", because they are worth, but more importantly, our students are worth it. We can not turn back now.