Several years ago, I was able to check off an item from my bucket list. I recorded a CD of songs that I wrote, played, and sang. While it sounds like a one man show, it wasn’t. It was possible because of my good friend who had a recording studio, played all the other instruments, and also did all the mixing. (It’s good to have talented friends:) The name of the CD was Looking Back at the Future and was very therapeutic to me as I was going through some challenging times in my life. Music was my outlet and helped keep me grounded. Each song had a story and captured a moment in time. The process took about a year and like all worthwhile goals, was a lot of work!
For me, recording my own songs was something I needed to do turn a dream into reality. I’m reminded of this time in my life, because I have several friends who are currently turning their own dreams into reality. Allyson Apsey, Sean Gaillard and Debbie McFalone each have books coming out soon and they have inspired me and reminded me of dreams I have accomplished and dreams I still want to achieve. One is to follow in their footsteps and someday write an educational book myself. My goal is not to say, “Look what I’ve done“, but rather to accomplish a goal and say, “See, you can do it too!“. That’s what I take away from my friends’ success in publishing, “I’ve told my story, now go tell yours!“.
As educators, we not only have an obligation to help our students reach their goals, but to live by example and reach ours as well. What better lesson can we teach our students than by modeling the desire and effort to make our dreams come true. Luckily for me, my ultimate goal is to do exactly what I get to do every day. Work with teachers and make a positive difference in the lives of students! One of my mentors, Paul Liabenow often uses the term, “Living the dream“. I’ve been fortunate to be able to do just that. What dreams do you have and are you working on making them a reality?
Click to Listen to Looking Back at the Future
- Monday, May 7: Celebrate Monday Assembly 9:05 AM
- Tuesday, May 8: Achievement Team (Gruenewald) 8:15 AM, Fire Drill 1:30 PM, Administrative Data Meeting at Central Office 3:00 PM
- Wednesday, May 9: School Improvement Committee 8:15 AM (in conference room), Elementary Principals Meeting 1:00-4:30 PM
- Thursday, May 10: Collaborative Learning Time 7:50-8:50 AM
- Friday, May 11: Sandi Benson visiting Classrooms for Video Recordings, Jon to Lansing for MEMSPA Board Meeting, PTA Spring Fling 6:00-8:00 PM
- Monday, May 14: Celebrate Monday Assembly 9:05 AM
- Tuesday, May 15: MET/IEP (Benson) 8:15 AM, All Administrators Meeting 3:00 PM
- Thursday, May 17: Staff Meeting8:05 AM, 4th Grade to Riley Upper Elementary
- Friday, May 18: Rotating Subs for K-3 Student Placement Meetings, F&P Data due in Illuminate
- Sunday, May 20: Jon getting head shaved for the St. Baldrick’s fight against childhood cancer @ The Claddagh (Just so people aren’t surprised on Monday;)
- Monday, May 21: iReady Window 3 Opens for K-4
- Friday, May 25: Volunteer Breakfast 8:15, Staff & Students dismissed at 12:10 PM
- Monday, May 28: No School for Memorial Day
- Wednesday, May 30: Kindergarten Round Up
- Thursday, May 31: Buchanan Seniors from SHS Clap Out 11:15 AM
- Friday, June 1: Garden Dedication/Time Capsule Ceremony 2:00 PM
- Sunday, June 3: Family Detroit Tigers Game 1:00 PM
- Thursday, June 7: Final PTA Meeting 7:00 PM
- Friday, June 8: Field Day
- Monday, June 11: 4th Grade Celebration in the PM (Cirque Amongus)
- Tuesday, June 12: Kindergarten Celebration/Concert 1:30 PM
- Thursday, June 14: All School Assembly10:00-11:00 AM, Students dismissed at 12:10
- Friday, June 15: 4th Grade Clap Out11:30 AM, Students dismissed at 12:10 PM
The Spark of Learning 