Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
BYU's Administrative Program
As many of you know, I have been avidly seeking entrance into BYU’s Leadership Preparation Program (LPP) to become an administrator. Since the summer of 2006 I have been working towards this goal. I have taken the GRE, applied for BYU’s graduate studies program, and applied to BYU’s LPP program. I can’t even begin to tell you how many hours I have spent over the last five or six months in studying, emailing, composing, researching, typing, etc. to pass the GRE exam and complete the two applications.
Long story short:
About two weeks ago, I received a letter from BYU’s education department, inviting me to the second phase of screening to determine if I get into the LPP program.
Last night (Thu. 1/25/07) at BYU’s Mackay Building I attended that screening. The supervisor, Joe Matthews, met with all of us candidates to give a brief overview of the screening process. He also told us that after the screening we would all be notified by mail in about three weeks if we got in or not.
After a group activity, we were instructed to be interviewed individually by a BYU faculty member and one of the several public school administrators who had been invited to help in the screening.
As I sat in the waiting room with the other candidates awaiting my turn for an interview, Joe Matthews motioned to me and said, “I need to interview you.” This startled and excited me, in that I hadn’t seen him do this to anyone else. I went with him to his office down the hall.
“I want to apologize,” I said, “for having emailed you so much [about the program and the application over the last few months].”
“That’s OK,” he smiled. “You probably emailed three times more than anyone else here.”
After assuring me that it was a good thing, he asked me point blank: “Tim, how serious are you about this program? What if you don’t get the paid sabbatical leave from your district? How will you afford to stay in this program?”
I assured him that my wife and I were more than prepared to take out loans and do whatever would be necessary for the next 15 months of the course if I got accepted, and that we were committed to making it work.
“Good,” he said, “because we want you.”
My jaw dropped and I went into the Kip Dynamite lever pull of joy: “Yesssssssssssss!”
So, my news to you is that I am IN! After 12 years of blood, sweat, tears, and hormonally influenced children, this will most likely be my last year as a teacher. I am on my way to becoming a vice principal!
Just thought I’d let you know.
As a side note, I asked several of the candidates there if they had been interviewed by Joe, and I didn’t speak with any who had. As far as I can tell, I am one the only one I know of who has already been given the thumbs-up for the program.
If enthusiasm were muscle, I’d be Govuhnuh Awnold right now!!!!
Art classes or nursing?
Recently a dear friend of mine emailed me the following, which I am posting with her permission:
Last semester I started taking art classes again. Everyone says I should hurry and get my nursing degree. I know it is the practical thing to do, but for the past few years I feel like my soul has been crying out to create. I have had a difficult time feeling real joy, not that I haven't been happy, but part of me has been suffocating. I finally decided that I didn't really care about being practical. I feel like I can breathe again. I feel free. I wish that I didn't have to keep defending my decision.
I think that's totally sweet.
Some people simply cannot relate to what she said, but I can. Sometimes when I tell people that I have a blog and post on it regularly they look at me incredulously. "Whaddya doin' that for? Does anyone even read it?" Well, I don't really know who reads my blog, other than a few friends and a brother or two, but I don't really worry about that. Blogging is writing is a release valve that I occasionally need. The numerous somber responsibilities of fatherhood, husbandhood, profession, providing, etc. can leave one too serious.
It feels great to write and express and let it out. Like sending a balloon out in the wind. You never know where it'll land or how it will affect someone else.
Friday, January 12, 2007
What's in your bookmarks?
These are my current favorites:
My Church
Mormon Studies
Art Renewal's Museum
The price of silver
Utah Jazz
Live Portuguese radio
BYU Broadcasting. All sorts of (free) downloadable MP3 talks.
LDS Newsroom Search. Incredible source for high-res church pictures.
Trek Earth. Incredible pictures from pretty much all over the world.
Bartleby. On-line literature. Free. Beautiful.
Half.com. Sister company to eBay. Cool, rare, affordable CDs and books.
Dictionary.com. So informative and useful.
Wikipedia. Fun. Always accurate?
Portuguese dictionary.
The origin of words.
Download it. Often free (my operative word).
I hope you enjoy the "site-seeing."
Long live the Diamond.
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