Years ago – actually, I should probably admit it was decades  ago – I ran relay races on the track team. Our coach would arrange us by the industry standard. The fastest runner ran the anchor. The next fastest runner was first in the relay, and the next fastest after that ran the second leg. The slowest runner on the team ran third in the race. To be fair, they were all fast, but they were ranked by how quickly they moved.  Since returning to school as a teacher, I have alway

Sometimes the little things that make us uncomfortable can uncover deeper feelings or issues we didn’t even know we had. Initially, what seems small and insignificant can prompt us to examine what’s really important. If we take time to pause and listen to the Holy Spirit’s voice, these moments can help us identify what truly matters. Let me explain. Many of you reading this know I spent the last 20 years of my career traveling and working with educators across the country wit

How many times have you thought to yourself, “I need to be more patient”? Have you been in a situation when you had to practice patience? I know I accidentally asked God to give me more patience, and do you know what He did? Exactly what I asked! He allowed me to be in multiple situations where I had to practice that very skill. Let me share a few of my experiences with you and what I have learned in the waiting .   I have been attending church since I was born. My mother was

I know I might be showing my age, but doesn’t the title of this blog make you want to hum Boston’s "More Than a Feeling"? If you haven’t heard it, I encourage you to listen. It’s a classic! While the lyrics don’t provide insight into what love truly is, they remind us that love is, indeed, more than a feeling. Love often comes with a whirlwind of emotions – the butterflies over a middle school crush, the pangs of jealousy when someone gets too close to our partner, or the hea

There is something about the word rest that resonates with me. If you are an educator, I’m sure you feel the same way. Rest is a precious commodity in our profession. Unfortunately, exhaustion and overwork – driven by the numerous demands we face – have inadvertently become a badge of honor. As for me, it has turned into a way of life. I am a strong advocate for hard work, but I have learned that it can sometimes be taken too far. When dedication to working hard transforms in

May will mark the end of my career in public education. Over these past 33 years, I have had the privilege of serving the Lord in various capacities. I have taught many different subjects in grades 5-12 along with a time as a special education teacher. Additionally, I was blessed to serve 18 years as an elementary administrator in two different buildings. As I transition to a new chapter in my life, I look back to how the Lord has shaped me along the way. About 33 years ago m