I am an educator who values the individuality and uniqueness of others. Writing the blog R.E.A.L. is an outlet for me to pay it forward by sharing ideas, influences, lessons learned and exposing a little vulnerability while encouraging others to maximize their R.E.A.L. potential, as well.
As I was visiting with a friend this morning on my way to work, I couldn’t help but remember this advice given by a man whom I respect and adore–Rev. J.W. Harrell. She was struggling with a decision and seemed to be hyper-focused on the most recent actions to make her final judgment. That’s when this […]
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Why That Title? This was one of sixty-thousand or so questions raised while teaching the preschool class at my church this past weekend. While playing with Play-Dough, a four-year-old student says, “Mrs. Martin, What if play dough could talk? What would it say?” Being slightly caught off guard, I asked, “What do you think it might […]
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Last night I watched LEAP! During the movie, the director of the opera kept asking his students, “Why do you dance?” He was searching for that thing you can’t teach–not skills, or strength, or power. He wasn’t looking for one who wished to check a goal off their bucket-list. He was seeking one who danced from […]
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Growing up in Southeast Texas, I’m fully aware of hurricane season. I spent my first twenty-nine years of my life in a small town off the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane watches, hurricane evacuations, and hurricane landfalls–that is a language I know and understand. These natural disasters were every bit of my upbringing, and they were near impossible […]
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(This is a letter I began writing to myself when I accepted my first district administration role in March of 2017.) Dear Future Administrator Me, Here are few tips I hope you never forget as you embark upon this new journey of administration. R. Build relationships FIRST! Listen to teachers, students, and the school community. […]
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