No fear, no judgement, just respectful honesty.

Round 1...ME!

8/13/2013

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I made it!  I finished my first year in the Educational Leadership program.  I've had TONS of ups and downs, but I made it.  I was warned when I began that if anything in life could go wrong, it would go wrong during this first year.  I brushed the negativity off and kept it moving.  Boy would I find out so much about myself.  I mean seriously, what a difference a year makes! I started the program, lost a job, lost friends, fortified old friendships,  buried my last grandparent, and found out how much God keeps us in the midst of the madness of life.  I also learned this degree has nothing to do with bad happening, but with you refining who you are in the fire of the trials. 

During this time I came to realize in the midst of what others saw as bad, I was able to start afresh and go after the thing I wanted most in my life.....MY JOY!  I began to rejoice in the time spent learning about children, the way they learn, and how they perceive education and educators.  These children were my life savers when I thought I was going to drown!  I'm so thankful for the drama and lessons of the last year, for without it all I would not be as vested in educating our students in a manner that solidifies their resolve to do more, be better people, and move mountains!  I've got tons to say, and I'm sure at some point I'll blog more about the first year.  I just needed to vocalize a bit of thankfulness for the light at the end of the first round tunnel and to the joy the entrance into the second year brings.  Time to break barriers and smash glass ceilings!  Round 1 goes to ME and I'm so thankful!

~Blessings!
~Cass
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Do You Know Me?

4/16/2013

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   Almost one full year ago I made a decision to pursue a doctoral degree.  Now I am a bit young for this endeavor, but I'm sure not the youngest by far.  However, for my cohort I am the youngest of the bunch.  One thing I have learned is there are people in the world that still believe that you must be of a certain age to comprehend the complexities of higher education.  I have heard and seen some things that over the last 10 years, that if I had not come from an encouraging home I would have quit some time ago. 

        It is amazing to me the number of children that I run into that are in utter shock that I am completing my first year in a doctoral degree!  My first thought after experiencing their shock was "why is this the case?  Why haven't they thought about this being their reality?"  As I move further through this process I am learning the answers to my questions.  I am also learning some valuable information that I hope that you benefit from as I begin to share.   
    Students don't think that this is plausible because, for some students, higher education has not even been presented as an option.  How is it in a free America, where everyone should be able to learn, grow, develop, and succeed that children are deprived of the thought that higher education is possible for them?  We, and yes I acknowledge that I have been a part of the problem, have not created a space to get to know the children around us and find out how we might better serve their mental, social, physical, and educational needs.  We teach children to surround themselves with positive people, but what are we giving to them.  Instead of sending children to others, let's stop and assess what we can do to build them up.  Yes, this generation is different.  They approach issues differently, however after having the opportunity to sit and talk with a few students closest to me I found that they are absolutely amazing.  They have thoughts, ideas, and courage that some of us have never seen before.  Think of the one child that you have the most contact/influence with.  If they sat with you and asked "What do you know about me?" how much would you be able to tell them about themselves?  Are you aware of their hopes, dreams, aspirations, fears?  Do you know their parents, siblings, or those most important to them?  If you don't know those basic things, how on earth can you truly reach out to help them?  If you aren't aware of their dreams how on earth can you encourage them to strive for them and support them by giving them more information?  Take some time today and  reach out. If we all took the quality time to connect with one student and support them as needed I wonder what the youth of today could do.  So I'd like to ask "Do you know (insert that special child's name?" 
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