It’s been six months since my last post. Obviously there’s change in motion for me – big life-sized changes! I’m still excited about finally finding the work I’m here to do. It brings to mind some advice I was given years ago that I frequently pass on to my students, who like me, are confronting the demanding realities of opportunities they’ve hoped for – if it isn’t a little scary, there’s no growth in it.
As Associate Director of the Mid-Pacific ICT Center, I have the opportunity to tap into all that I’ve done in my life as well as all that I’ve learned but not yet applied. Yet, as a newcomer to public education, I’m perplexed by the lack of awareness and urgency of the hope and crisis of its current state.
I digress from my personal challenge of change. Here I am, part of a small team of people seeking to make real change happen, closing opportunity gaps by promoting and improving education that prepares people for information and communications technology (ICT) jobs that are multiplying and increasingly unfilled. IN THIS ECONOMY! But the public education culture we must influence is strong. To me, it seems to go through the motions just to wind up at the status quo. There’s lots of activity without knowing if and how it’s making a difference. And here I am, not the leader, but a player with the opportunity to influence. But out of respect for what I have yet to truly understand about the culture, I’ve virtually tied one hand behind my back, limiting my effectiveness with a false prerequisite to be n expert.
I have my colleague, Dr. Sandy Kolberg, to thank for putting a mirror on this procrastination. While visiting with her during University of Phoenix Online graduation weekend, she reminded me of my own lessons, and that stepping out into uncertainty is a continuous path to growth. She also admonished me not to screw up a good thing! J Thanks, Sandy!
