what i do

This year, I've been getting asked a lot about my year at UCA. Are you loving it? "Yes," I say. "Tell me about deaning," they ask next. I never know what to say. Deaning consumes my life. I work long hours and I have trouble recounting what I do on the fly. It's so busy and stressful all the time, but I love it.

Here's a bit of what I do:
- put kids on sick list
- give meds
- monitor desk workers
- monitor janitors
- keep dorm clean
- handle discipline
- checks. all the time. worships. study halls. etc.
- attend faculty meetings
- chat with guys (the best part!)
- talk with parents

The list may not sound like much (I'm sure there's more), but it adds up. With 96 guys in our dorm, and only 3 full-time deans, it's constant. There's always someone who needs something and I feel like many good kids slide through without much attention because they're where they need to be are getting good grades and not pantsing kids in a classroom or calling a girl a "hippo" (those are sadly real examples). It can be overwhelming.

Add to my current schedule the occasional substitute teaching and coaching both varsity and JV volleyball and I'm swamped.

But it's Sabbath. And I've had SO many good conversations lately. With my RA's. With random sophomores in the cafeteria. With fellow staff members. I have so many reasons to be thankful. But, like most times I'm asked what I do, right now I'm just thinking about my pillow... Goodnight!

deaning

I have returned to Upper Columbia Academy, this time as a dean. It's been a fantastic experience thus far. I love deep conversations with students, ranging from RA's to freshmen still adjusting to high school... I love the opportunity to coach girls' volleyball and occasionally sub for classes. Or in the case of this week, doing all three at the same time...

This week was challenging though. Someone needed to go home. And that was hard, beyond the long days I was working. It's hard because I care. About him. About each of my guys. I know this job will push me. It's already pushed me to give more of myself, to strive harder to involve God in my life and in my decisions. This is why I entered the field of education. I can't wait to see where I'll be at the end of each year...

no longer affiliated with california

They're off. The last telling signs of my past relationship with California are gone. No longer will I get blank stares or angry diatribes along Washington highways. Washington license plates now grace Gertrude (aka Granny) yet again...