Launch intransitive verb
a: to spring forward: TAKE OFF
b: to enter energetically
How do I put into words my feelings about launching into a new phase of my career? How is it that I have been in education for 30 years?! This final stage with Ravenwood has been the most challenging (cue pandemic), most rewarding and most liberating!
If you haven't heard yet, I am retiring from North Kansas City at the end of this school year. This is such a bittersweet decision. I love this district with all my heart! I have spent 21 of my 30 education years here growing as an educator! I have experienced so much tremendous training with people like Geneva Gay, Deb Miller, Matt Glover, Jeanine Hastings, Greg Tang, Sam Bennett, Kate Roberts, Cornelius Minor...to name a few! This district has invested so much into me as a leader, and I am forever grateful.
Beginnings
I started my career in Des Moines, IA in 1993 as the music teacher of Lovejoy Elementary. I remember working until 8pm most nights and crying a lot my first year. I had an amazing assistant principal, Wilma Gajdel, who invested in me and helped me to believe in myself. I lived up to her expectations. I put on music programs our school was proud of and even received an Arts grant to bring an artist in residence into our school.
I moved back to St. Joseph where I taught one year in a private Christian school and then went on to be a part of St. Joseph Public Schools. (I had worked for the district offices all through college, so it was a really easy transition back)! Interesting facts - it is here that I first met our former CFO and current Board member Paul Harrell, as well as our very own Superintendent "Dan the Man." :)
In 2000, I moved to Kansas City as a single parent mom, and took a job at a technology charter school. I was working on my Master's degree in Educational Technology and was excited to put my learning to work! I worked at the charter school all summer, they went bankrupt, and I never received one paycheck. Not one! It was September so I took at job at another charter school, Della Lamb. Not only did I teach music here, but I also taught reading and art. I was not certified in either of those areas, but I sure learned a lot, and the kids did, too! In February, budget cuts came. I was the last to be hired, so the first to go.
North Kansas City
It was then that I applied for jobs in North Kansas City. I was so fortunate to be hired for the 2001-2002 school year to teach not only music, but to also provide music tech support for the entire district. In the meantime, they hired me as a contracted sub for the rest of the year. I would take any music jobs, and any elementary jobs three days a week, while the other two days I traveled across the district installing sound cards in the computers for music teachers and hooking up their midi. I also taught them how to integrate music technology into their classrooms. Interestingly enough, it was during this time that I also joined up with Natalie and Gene as our cover band Cherry Bomb was taking off! We were founding members.
My first job in the district was at Davidson where I was their music teacher for 3 years. By this time, I knew I wanted to make a difference for not only students, but for teachers as well. I had begun my Education Specialist degree in Administration and knew that I wanted to become an elementary principal. I also felt that if I wanted to be a strong leader, then I needed to know what it was like to walk in the shoes of a classroom teacher, as well as an encore teacher. So my principal Victoria Miles allowed me to move into an open 5th grade classroom to get this experience.
I thought I would do this a few years, but to my surprise, an assistant principal position opened up at Gracemor. I applied and was hired to work with the amazing Cynthia Kupka! Oh the things I learned in this position! I am forever grateful to this wonderful woman who took me under her wing and MADE ME DO EVERYTHING! LOL! I truly had a gamut of experiences! She made sure I didn't just handle behavior as her assistant principal. I engaged in supervision of teachers, handling parent concerns, attending IEP's, dumpster diving (for important paperwork I accidentally threw out!), dressing up to motivate students and staff, creating and leading professional development, planning fun activities for families...and the list goes on and on. We were an incredible team and I am forever in her debt.
In 2007, I became the proud principal of Oakwood Manor! I really thought I was ready, and to be fair, I was as ready as I could be. I had no idea the tremendous amount of pressure I would feel leading an entire school on my own. However, we had fun learning and growing together. We were one of the first schools, along with Northview, Ravenwood and Briarcliff, to bring Reader's and Writer's workshop to the district. We implemented the Daily Five to support our workshop model. We looked at student work together and used our data to guide our decisions. One of the things I found myself saying over and over again was, "If you can't live it, it is hard to teach it." So we began having our own author's chair in staff meetings and shared our writing with one another.
We created a beautiful courtyard space and an incredible community garden that was a partnership between us and the city of Gladstone. Cherry Bomb did a fundraiser concert for the school allowing us to purchase several smartboards for our classrooms before they were provided by the district. We were committed to innovative practices for our students!
It was here that I fell in love with special education, my special education students and their families, as we housed three cross categorical classrooms at Oakwood Manor. I learned so much about the processes, challenges and joys of special education during my 8 years as the Head Owl.
I was very spoiled by my Oakwood Manor family when I became Dr. Casey in 2013 with a celebration I will never forget! The students and staff were so special to me and they kept a piece of my heart as I transitioned to my next gig.
Ravenwood
In 2015, it was time for me to spread my wings and become a Raven. It was so difficult to say good bye to my Oakwood Manor Owls that had taught me so much about being a principal and a leader.
Entering Ravenwood, I had a confidence that I did not possess when walking into Oakwood Manor. I had experience behind me. The staff embraced me and showered me with enthusiasm as I took the helm. I listened, watched and learned from them. We dug into math. We dug into literacy. We dug into deep equity work. We dug into positive relationships. We created an incredible culture and climate where everyone felt like family. I always said, "We spend so much time together, this must be a good place to be!" Other things I found myself saying included, "Seek first to understand and then be understood," "Be nice to kids and be nice to each other," "Balance grace with accountability." I would often share The Four Agreements: Be impeccable with your word, always do your best, don't make assumptions and don't take things personally.
During our time together, our students designed and created an amazing outdoor classroom under the guidance of their teachers. Our staff championed for an accessible and inclusive playground. We created one of the largest Walk-To-School events in the entire Kansas City Metro area. We were recognized as a Gold status PBS (Positive Behavior Supports) school for 5 years, while also being recognized as bronze and silver in previous years. We more than survived during a pandemic. We created beautiful learning spaces and we embraced restorative practices. Equity and inclusion became our heartbeat. We were mindful together. We worked hard, we played hard. We laughed and grew together.
Ravenwood is such a special place. I couldn't possibly let go...our hearts are connected. As I launch, I honor this work we have done and instead, look to empower my staff and students as I see my leadership multiplied in them. I guarantee they will mold their next leader as they have molded me.
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| Walk To School Day |
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| Future Griffins |
Launch Vs. Retire
So why launch instead of retire? With 18 years of administrative experience under my belt, I have the principal role down to the best of my ability. If you know me, you know I can't stand still, I keep going back to school because I love to learn, and trying new adventures is integral to who I am as a person. Retiring is not for me. I am ready to launch into a new phase of my life.
Over two years ago I had a vision. An idea. A dream.
I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT EDUCATORS. I believe with my whole heart that educators are some of the most incredible humans on this planet. They are constantly giving more. They serve. They love. Then they give some more. I saw them do near miraculous things during a pandemic. Then I saw them get tired. They kept giving. Then I saw them get criticized. They gave anyway. Then I saw them being asked to create a plane while it was flying in the air. They did that...and kept on giving, serving, and loving. Then I saw them begin to lose a little of the light in their eyes. Then I began to see them question if they could keep going. Then I got concerned.
We have been sold a lie that if we are a truly good human, we will put others ahead of ourselves. We have been told we must sacrifice for others and that this is virtuous. The truth is, in order to truly serve others, we can't continue to put ourselves and our needs last. If we do, people start getting our leftovers. Then we get our own leftovers, we fizzle out, lose our enthusiasm and lose our hope. We can't fill from an empty cup and there is a reason we are told to put on our oxygen masks first when we travel on a plane!
eduThrive®
Enter eduThrive®. My vision, my idea, my dream. eduThrive® is nourishment for your educator heart, mind, body and spirit. Through eduThrive® I have been coaching and mentoring educators (and others that have been interested) in taking better care of themselves through nutrition, movement, mindfulness and meditation. As my clients have learned these principles, they are finding themselves not only less burned out, but full of joy, learning they truly can be of service to others. It seems like a paradox. The more they take care of their own needs, the better able they are to tend to the needs of others. They are thriving and this is having a positive impact on them, their families, and those they serve.
Upon my launching (rather than retiring), I plan to expand this work and increase the number of educators I can reach and impact through full-time coaching and consulting. I can give a person a fish or I can teach them to fish. Stay tuned for how that will unfold.
Gratitude
If you have been a student, a family member, a staff member or a colleague on this 30-year path with me - I thank you, I honor you, I love you. Thank you for being my teachers on this journey. You all mean the world to me and it has been my great honor serving you. Here is to more of that as I launch into my next season! Namaste!
