LEAD Question 3

How does a participant in a global society hold to the core principles of deeply held beliefs and simultaneously (1) seek to understand those whose beliefs differ with yours, (2) work collaboratively with others of differing world views, and (3) respect the intrinsic worth of all people?

I think the answers to these questions change over time based on maturity, role/responsibility, and decade.

As a beginning teacher in Lake Worth, Texas my 1^st graders asked if we could say the blessing before lunch.  They had a plan for how to make it happen and they owned it.  I agreed.  At the time I was living in a homogeneous community, my husband was a seminary student, I new the children from church, school, the tee ball field and even had a Christmas party sleep over at my house (can’t believe I did that one!).  I was naive, but at that time, in that community, at that public elementary school, given the roles and responsibilities I had at the time, it seemed appropriate.

Ten years later I was the principal at Colegio Maya American International School.  No one asked to pray before lunch.  The school demographics were 1/3 Guatemalan, 1/3 American, and 1/3 International.  We kept a world map up with push pins indicating where everyone was from.  While the national religion was Catholic, many religions were practiced by our students.  There was only one English speaking Protestant church in the entire country. We experienced community in so many ways while in Guatemala – by country of origin, by school, by family, by being a group of people in Guatemala for the purpose of helping Guatemala.  We had mutual respect and celebrated our differences and commonalities.

Currently, I am the principal at an elementary school in Leander, Texas.  Our population is about ½ and ½ Hispanic and white with 29% economically disadvantaged.  While we may look similar on the outside, we are vastly diverse from within.  We have a variety of family structures, political views, religious beliefs, adult educational backgrounds, and learning needs.  Showing respect to everyone is essential.  Appreciating our diversity is empowering and loving the individual is life changing.  My professional decisions, while different from 25 years ago, are still based on my growth, my role in the school and the responsibilities that accompany that role, and the time we live in.

Researching Machine

I spent the day at UMHB yesterday at the library.  I was a researching machine.  It felt great to get so much accomplished.  Everything I did probably could have been accomplished from home, but I was really focused and not distracted by laundry, dust, the refrigerator or an afternoon nap on the sofa.  I enjoyed reading about professional learning communities and appreciated the librarian introducing me to  PQDT Open, a free dissertation link on A-Z resources.  You may already know about it, but I didn't, so it was helpful.  I was meeting with a colleague this week about a campus issue.  She offered to help me with proofing and wordsmithing along the way.  She has her doctorate in Special Education and said she would love to help.  One of the parents at my school is a math professor at UT.  He and his wife offered encouragement any time I need it.  He started his doctorate 6 times before he finally finished.  They said they would be cheerleaders any time I needed a pep talk.  Of course our cohort is a rock of support.  I often struggle with being too self sufficient for my own good.  I was reminded this week during a prayer time that God allows and even places weaknesses in my life so that I'll know the joy of trusting in Him.  I'm blessed to have support all around me.  Thank you cohort 4 for who you are for journeying with me.