Big Learning Day...

First let me say that I miss you greatly, and in times like today where my brain is challenged and I have to push myself I think of you and how much faith you have in me and my abilities to work this program. I have learned so much, I can't begin to say how I have changed in just a week and a half. Today was a big day for me!

I decided to run for a council seat for our Summer Principal's Academy. I don't know what I was thinking. Today I had to give a speech and it was pretty good except for the fact that I was trembling uncontrollably!!!!! I was fine getting up in front of my colleagues in my cohort (48 intelligent outstanding leaders), but when I had to stand up in front of them and the cohort from last year I freaked... I was first up, ready with my speech:

"Where I'm from - I am a mixture from two worlds-
I am American by birth and Mexican by heritage.
I live in a border town; two countries divided by a bridge,
A bridge I have learned to cross when needed.
A bridge that sets me a part from my mother country-albeit
sometimes welcoming and sometimes terrifying.
You may ask why am I talking about a bridge?

Bridges represent connections - I am familiar with these bridges and these connections.
I can serve this council as a bridge in three ways:
I represent a bridge for communication between students of this cohort in New York City (95% participation in the Summer Principal's Academy) and the students of this cohort from visiting states.
I represent a bridge between this academy and teachers of color - diversity of this cohort is important in reaching the diverse population of students we serve as leaders.
I represent a bridge between this academy and the teachers in this academy who are veteran teachers. I realize most teachers in this program are Teach for America teachers (TFA) and New York Fellows, but I come from a different mindset of the traditional teacher who has been taught and enriched with a base for education much different from TFA and fellows. I can bridge that gap.
Sometimes we need to show people that there is a bridge to be built. Communication is key. Sometimes we need to understand how to extend these bridges and walk together. That is what I hope to represent. Let me be a bridge for you. Thank you."
Needless to say with my notes in my hand and voice shaking, I had to place my notes on the table in front of me so that my colleagues could not see my paper shake. This was definitely a defining moment for me and inspiring. I'm learning so much, I just can't tell you how much.
I also took on a role in one of our case studies where I was principal. I had to direct a meeting and make a decision based on comments from my administrative team. I learned an important lesson: sometimes you take the input from others, but then you have to stand up to what you believe and stick with your decisions. Ultimately, I am responsible for the decisions I will uphold in my school... it's my butt on the line, and I have to feel invested in my decision. I have a great group of people I am working with, and boy are they supportive and fantastic. Today the associate director of the program watched as I conducted my meeting. He took me aside and informed me of what I did right and wrong. I was enlightened, but the way he looked at me when he was talking to me is what caught my eye. He was my interviewer, and while he was commenting on my work, I could see in his eyes how proud he was of me at that moment. At that moment, I was a validation of his decision to invite me to be part of this cohort. What a validation for me! There is so much to say, but I do not want to ramble on. Thank you so much for your support. I miss and love you!