Wednesday August 1, 2001
It would have been real nice to take the summer off and relax a bit, but it seems that I have been just as busy as I was during the school year. The school year ended and I was taking three classes in educational leadership to get my certification for becoming a principal.

Basically, to make a long story short, I had some kind of awakening the effects of which I can not really articulate. Suddenly, I felt that I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing and teaching felt real good. I pledged to try to do more with the kids than I previously thought possible. This summer, I did not work but instead, instituted a service project and raised 28 boxes of food at school for a local homeless shelter. It felt really good to be doing something for others, and I am sure I will be doing more things like this to coincide with my awakening that I am experiencing.

I almost want to describe what I have been going through as a religious experience, although I haven't really ever considered myself to be a religious person. I feel that many of the petty battles that I have fought over the last few years at school have mere preludes to getting my hands dirty and doing more teaching and service work with the kids. They are clearly the future and our future whether we like it or not.

I took the state exam to become a principal last weekend and it was a very difficult test. I will not get my results for another month, but I really am digging this administrative program because it has shed so much light on my own perceptions about myself as a person and as a teacher.

So many of us are afraid to acknowledge or contemplate our fears as professionals. I think that coming to terms with my own shortcomings, limitations, and hopes has helped me wake up and want to embrace the fun things that education has to offer.

I have written two papers that I have submitted for publication in the area of educational delivery. Eventually, someone will prolly publish at least one of them, but it feels good to be trying to maximize my opportunities. I hope to continue to document my crazy and fun experiences with the kids and try not to get too wrapped up in the bullshit of education.