It was approximately two years ago that I discovered my true calling to be an educator. Not a temporary teacher, but a lifelong advocate for kids. After two turbulent years in the classroom, I applied and was accepted to be a Graduate Fellow of the Northeast Leadership Academy at N.C. State University. Through the program, I would earn my Master's of School Administration, visit schools and attend conferences across the country, and learn how to live and thrive on four hours of sleep. Yesterday it all came to an end.
While the graduation itself was wonderful, the highlight of the week came when the two people who made me landed at the Raleigh-Durham Airport. My parents arrived Thursday night and brought with them the love and goodwill of all our friends and family back west. The morning after they arrived, I drove them to Mount Airy, North Carolina, the birthplace of Andy Griffith and the town which "Mayberry" was based on. They've always been diehard fans of the Andy Griffith Show, so taking them to the place where it all began was a special treat.
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| Also a special treat: those socks. |
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| Mom and dad with the original "Floyd" from the Andy Griffith Show. Dude's 90 years old, and still cutting hair. |
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| Sheriff Olsen, stepping in for Andy. |
Yesterday was whirlwind. After an early-morning round of golf, we high-tailed it down to Raleigh for my graduation ceremony, which I nailed. Didn't even trip or fall off the stage (they say practice makes perfect). Then after that we went to a reception for the NELA Fellows and their families. I got to introduce my parents to all my professors, advisors, and classmates, who I had paid handsomely to say nice things about me.
Today, of course, was Mother's Day. It was great to actually be with my mother on this day. That hasn't happened for quite some time. Can't remember the last one, actually. My dad and I made breakfast and dinner for the ladies, gave them naps and foot rubs, and spoiled them with some of their favorite treats. We also linked them to their families back west thanks to Skype and Google Hangout (GH is far superior, just FYI).
The journey is far from over, and as wonderful as yesterday's accomplishment was, it's just another chapter of a much larger book. But huzzah for finishing chapters, am I right? I mean, finishing chapters in a book is one of those subtle satisfactions in life akin to parring a hole in golf or doing a one-armed pushup. So, by that strand of reasoning, earning my master's degree is like beating Tiger Woods in a round of 18 and sculpting my chest to look like Conan the Barbarian.
