​I consider myself an educational leader.  Does that mean that I am perfect in any way?  Absolutely not! It actually means that I am harder on myself than anyone else could be.  I am constantly wondering what I can do better, how I can make better decisions, and how I can help as many people as I can while also consistently learning how to be better.  I find myself trying to be everything to everybody, even though I know it is not possible.  I have learned so much in a small amount of time about the human condition.  How different people work in different ways.  Sometimes, it is lonely at the top (as someone told me recently). 
 
But I just heard Eric Sheninger @E_Sheninger speak and he said something to let me know that I am on some type of right track. He said “You are not a leader until you have produced another leader!”  I strongly believe in that.  I tell educators that as a leader, you should want…no EXPECT those “under” you will eventually grow enough to lead on their own and leave you.  That should be a goal that you are progressing your people to become leaders or to find the leadership qualities that are already in them!  As a leader, we have to help build people up!
 
What I do not understand is why that is so scary for some people/leaders.  Why is it so scary to have someone else succeed?  Wouldn’t it be a blessing to say that someone that you trained can take your job one day and hopefully go even further than you have gone?  I truly do not understand!  But, I honestly believe in this mindset and I hope that many other leaders do too.  I will hold on to the hope that they do!   

People call me a lifelong student.  I guess I am. 
 
​I will turn 40 at the end of next year and I will still be in school at that time.  I don’t know why I feel the need to get a degree in everything that I am interested in!  haha  I have 5 now, but I am finally finishing/starting again the one that has escaped me: the PhD!  When I was on track at Louisiana State University, I was on the path to have 4 degrees and have one of them be my PhD by the time I was 30!  However, that accomplishment never happened.  I got all the way up to the Generals and I dropped.  My life changed and I moved to a different state (hello Texas). I left the classroom and became a library media specialist.  That led to my real 4th degree.  Then, life happened again and I moved back to Louisiana and started working in technology.  Along came my 5th degree. 
 
But still no PhD.  It still evaded me.
 
Am I tired of school?  Why, yes…yes I am!  But I never tire of learning!  So…here I am back again to get my EdD.  I have no doubt that this time is the right time and I strongly feel that God does everything for a reason.  As I begin this degree (today is the very first day of the program), I am nervous, but excited to start this final (yes…I am claiming no more school after this…haha) journey to a degree in school.  EdD…here I come!