Before the holidays, we received an audio book from Mrs. Givens entitled ‘Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work’ by David Isay. We were to listen to it over break. Audio books are right up my alley as I spend a lot of time on the turnpike traveling to visit my mother. This is one of three books by Isay from Story Corps. These are books that tell a story of why people work at the jobs they do as they are interviewed by family members or friends. This book was interesting and lead to my own wondering reflection.

Why am I an elementary school principal? First of all, I believe the words ‘passion’ and ‘avid’ are quite overused. I’m one of those people who just became a teacher. I only thought of one other option, but in researching a medical profession, I read that I would be making life and death decisions. That was enough for me to eliminate it. Little did I know that the many various decisions I make every day are every bit as important in a different way. Second, I enjoyed teaching. I changed grades and positions throughout the 25 years, and I always found a new challenge and became more knowledgeable of education. It was during those last few years that I decided I wanted to become an administrator. Many of my teacher friends couldn’t understand why, and I really wasn’t too sure myself.

I went back to school in the evenings and summers to earn another master’s degree, and took a lovely test from the state that took six hours of handwritten answers along with several hundreds of dollars. I found an opportunity in El Dorado USD #490. This is my eighth year here. I can honestly say that I love my job. Of course, my story isn’t nearly as interesting as those from the audio book. My favorite stories were of a race car driver that went against the odds for the racing experience, and that of a retired accountant that left a $150 an hour job for a job cutting salmon lox for $9 an hour. He loved cutting lox for people.

Teachers and administrators alike have recently been somewhat drug through the mud. I am amazed at the stamina educators demonstrate. I’ve been lucky enough to do some reading during the break, and the collaboration and sharing amongst educators is like no other. They just want to help each other. I am proud of my job and consider myself extremely fortunate to be an elementary principal. My mother taught me that I didn’t have to go to work, I got to go to work. This is something I’ve repeated to my children, too. Every day is different, and I am blessed to work with people who want to do their jobs and students who keep us grounded every day. They provide sunshine each and every school day.

My cousin was quoted at his funeral about never having to work a day in his life as he got to go to his business and do what he loved each day. He didn’t consider it work. Hence, I encourage you all to reflect upon this blog. Are you doing what you have a passion for or enjoy? What is your calling?