Reminicing with Remnants

Over the weekend, I had the chance to visit my grandparents' farm in Central Indiana.  For years, my grandfather; Doyal, has farmed an 80-acre family farm.  The farm was established in 1941 and for 30 years, my grandfather worked full time in a local steel mill and farmed the 80 acres in the evenings and on the weekends.  He couldn't have done it without a faithful, dedicated, hardworking and loving wife; my grandmother Patsy. 

I always love our visits to the farm.  Now that I have my own kids; aged 7, 5, and 2, it's even more fun because they get to enjoy a way of life that we just don't get to experience much any more.  My grandpa is getting out of farming and for the last two seasons, he's rented the land to a local farmer who has done the farming.  Last spring he sold most of his equipment at a sale.  It was hard to hear about some of the implements and tractors that were sold.  Many of these items had been in the family for quite some time.  He still holds on to the equipment that has his heart!  A Farmall M from 1945 still rests in the shed and a 1979 Chevy C10, that is in immaculate shape also still calls the farm home.  Other than that, most of the old equipment is gone....it's kind of sad.

The highlight of the day for my kids is always when we get the tractors out for a ride.  As I was bringing the M back in with my son, I felt overwhelmed with a sad, reminiscent feeling. 

The reality is, small family farms like my grandparents' are fading away.  Slowly a way of life is becoming extinct.  Gone are the days when Dad works in the factory full time and farms evening and weekends.  Gone are the days when Mom and children get up early to do chores and get ready for school.  Today most farmland is cultivated by large operations that can maximize yields based on their resources.

In many ways we're experiencing the same phenomenon in education.  Over the last 50 years, education has changed drastically.  Now more than ever we are facing the reality that "life" as we know it in education is changing, whether we want it to or not.  As professional farmers had to adapt to stay in business, so we also must make changes to be successful.

Just like how I felt on that tractor ride this weekend, there is a part of me that feels sad about the fact that life as we know it in education will never be the same.  However, as we move forward we continue to maintain the values of our past; the values we stand for, yet embrace the changes we need to make in order to be successful...for our students!

Writing Fix

Now that I don't have an elementary building to write a weekly newsletter to write to my staff I need to find a "writing fix."  I'll be posting more to this blog...hope it works out.

Dave

A Change of Screnery

A Change of Scenery

                There are times in life when unique opportunities present themselves and the path of our lives take an unexpected turn.  These can often be difficult times as they typically bring about changes that can be painful.  This past summer I accepted a position as Chief Academic Officer with my school corporation.  When I started in education, central office administration was something I thought I'd never do...yet here I am!

                  While I am excited about this opportunity and the path I believe God is leading me on as a school leader, the change has been tough.  I loved being an elementary principal.  The four years as an elementary principal will be four of my best.

                  The decision to move to this position was not an easy one.  It was made with much prayer, counsel and thought.  This was a hard move because I absolutely loved by job. I love leading an incredible group of teachers. I loved the kids at my school.  I loved serving the local community and parents. 

So why did I make this move?  I shared with you a while back about how I felt the call of God in my life to serve Him through public education.  I was working at Von Humboldt Elementary School in Chicago and although I had never thought about being a teacher, I knew the Lord was calling me to education.  As a classroom teacher I was blessed to be able to minister to and make a positive difference in the lives of my class of 25-30 students every school year. 

                  As classroom teacher, I never considered being a building principal.  However, as I began the next step in my own education, the Lord led through circumstances with a Master’s Degree.  In the course of my studies at Ball State, I felt His call to serve as a building leader.  As a principal, I was blessed to be able to minister to and make a positive difference in the lives of 530 students every school year.

                  When I started as a principal, I never considered working in a central office administrative role.  While I love many aspects of my job, I began to realize that not only do I love working with the children, I love working with teachers, working with curriculum, figuring out what works for struggling students, and the challenges that collaborative teams face every day.  I began to realize that if there were to be a job where I would focus my efforts on those areas in a way that helps others I would be interested and so when the position of Chief Academic Officer opened up, I was interested. 

                 It hasn't been easy.  I love kids!  I love the interactions I have with them every day.  I often joke with many of my teachers that I’m kind of like grandma and grandpa; I get to mess around/joke/”rile up” the kids and then they go back to them for class!  I believe the Lord is again leading in my life, taking me into a new role where my influence and ability to serve broadens to a whole school corporation.  I am able to serve 7,200 students and their families.  I am able to serve hundreds of teachers and staff members.  I believe this new position for me is the ultimate “support staff” position.  I am happy that although I won’t be serving you as your building principal, I will still be working with you, and serving you as your Chief Academic Officer. 

                  I am excited about this new chapter in my life.  I am excited to work under Dr. Hoffert’s leadership.  I am excited to be used by God to serve our school corporation.  I believe in our mission here at Warsaw Community Schools…to inspire and equip all students to continuously acquire and apply knowledge and skills while pursuing their dreams and enriching the lives of others.  So often those dreams change and that change is hard, but when we spend our dreams enriching others, life is full.