Search This Blog

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Setting Sail

The following is truly a step of faith and going out on a limb. I know I would have never attempted writing a blog, if not for my PLN on Twitter. There are too many to thank and for fear of leaving some out, I will choose to say a huge thank you to all of my colleagues and especially my #TLAP PLN. You just don't know what kind of impact you have had on my professional life through our chats in the evenings. I will be forever indebted to you. Many of you think I am much more than I am and I'm truly honored and humbled by your thoughts of me.

I must begin with a book that has had a tremendous impact on my life, See You at the Top by the late Zig Ziglar. I had the privilege to sit under his teaching the course (The Richer Life, now Born to Win), listening to hours of his tapes, and attending seminars he presented. The book and he gave me the inspiration to reach higher and attain more than I ever thought possible. And most recently, the book, Teach Like a PIRATE, by Dave Burgess has invigorated my professional life and outlook. The book has enabled me to get know some of the most progressive and innovative minds in the educational field. Sometimes I am in awe of your thoughts, practices, and ideas. You make me realize I have so much to learn and strive for my in career.

I should finally and most importantly want to say thank you to my wife of 38 years. She has been my rock and advocate throughout my whole career. She willingly moved from city to city, house to house, as I advanced through my coaching and administrative career. We have been in different school districts (she a little more) and towns across Texas. As a result, we have made friends and gained colleagues which has enhanced our lives. She has been my best friend and my cheerleader my whole life. With her spiritual gift of encouragement, she has definitely made me want to achieve more than I ever thought possible. I am forever grateful to have her as my wife and life for these past 38 years. We have two beautiful (both inside & out) daughters, one grand daughter and another grand baby on the way. I am so blessed.

I also want to thank all of the professional educators that I have either taught and coached along side or had the privilege to lead. Many of them have made and impact on my professional life.

As a teacher, coach, and administrator, where would I be without the students that I have had the opportunity to touch their lives. They are the only reason I continue as an educator. They give me the motivation and inspiration to come to work each day. I absolutely love what I do.

As I reread the above, I believe that I must say and acknowledge my lord and savior Jesus Christ. He has been by my side through my valleys and mountain tops of which I am so thankful. Without Him, I am nothing, with Him, I am everything. John 3:30



9 comments:

  1. Bravo Hal! Love your post! I too was so inspired by TLAP and I cannot wait to share it with our staff in the upcoming school year.

    Keep up the blogging!

    Tony

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great first post. I read Teach Like a Pirate this summer and while I am working at the district level this fall, I have shared the book with a principal colleague and with teachers at my former school. I know you will enjoy sharing on a blog. I have grown tremendously through my blog. That and my PLN - best ever!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congrats #edufather! I'm so proud of you for stepping out on this limb. I'm out here with you! I have completed 2 blogs, thinking about switching blogging sites and really taking this thing on a flight! You have set sail! Thanks are in order to you for the amazing opportunity you provided to us this summer! I have never know a more generous admin in education. In fact, I didn't even know they existed. You inspire me to be a better as an aspiring admin. Great job Hal!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Amazing first post! I love #edufather Misty! Great choice of words. Your drive to connect and learn is so amazing, yet something that so many other Supts do not take the time to do. You are such a blessing to those that you interact with and your giddiness at the things that you don't know much about (smartboards) brings pure joy to us all...especially me! I'm so proud of you Hal!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wonderful first post! You are such an example of what a great leader is and you are so humble! Thank you for all of your encouragement and it is hard to even imagine what an impact someone as yourself has had on others, that you've never met. I'm thankful for your leadership in my PLN.

    I still hope to met you, your wife, and your daughter someday!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well done! Your words about your wife made me tear up. I'm so excited to be along for your journey!

    ReplyDelete
  7. You think YOU teared up, Aimee? I was a puddle of tears by the time I finished reading. I'm married to a very special man. I also had the privilege of being a teacher on two of his campuses when he was a high school Principal, and I can safely say that there is no finer leader. I thank God for him every day and I'm so proud to see him take this next step in his professional journey.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow!! What a fantastic first post...it truly reads as if written from the heart and is therefore very powerful. It was a pleasure and a honor to meet you this summer and get to experience your hospitality. I wish I would have met your wife, as well!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself in this first blog. Setting Sail is such an apt title for this year of a new excitement and creativity generated with TLAP. You inspire many people right here, right now--more than you know!

    ReplyDelete