Attending in Appleton, Wisconsin with weather in the teens and snow falling outside. The Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS) national conference is this weekend and I have had the great privilege of serving as its president for the past four years.
Hanging out with academics the whole weekend. While the transition out of FIU has been an easy one, I still hold onto the ties to outside organizations like this one. Been fun seeing longtime (don't want to say "old") friends and having a good time. Tomorrow is my last day of serving as president of this group, which will again solidify the movement away from academia. It's sad that more non-academics are not part of this group. I think they would find it worthwhile--trading information, software, performances, etc. Can't wait to be back home working with the kids.
Spread your wings!
10 February 2012
24 January 2012
Picture of me before leaving academia...
Picture of me now...
Crazy, but I get random people coming up to me telling me how beautiful my silver hair is! Whether it's at a professional conference, in Walmart, or at the grocery store, I appreciate the kudos for going natural. It's a lot easier than dying it every month, putting heels everyday, and trying to pretend I like a job I didn't. At Atala, I love everyday and consider myself so very fortunate to be working in an environment promoting a positive attitude and making a difference in the world.
Spread your wings!
09 January 2012
Coming out of the walls!
Have been having an awesome January so far at Atala! One small set back with a competitor making "anonymous parent" calls to various groups. But as the inspectors all say, 'the calls are completely unfounded.' When you run a clean business, you will always come out on top.
Now the great news: we have had 7 new students enroll since November and another 2-4 will start this month! We are splitting the Upper Elementary and Middle School so each will have their own room next year. And if things keep moving the way they are, we will be needing a third preschool rooms. We have even discussed having an infant room if the need arises. All in all we have been extremely busy and the phone is ringing off the hook.
This month is our Rodeo Days celebration so we'll be heading to Redland Riding Academy for the festivities. We will also have a party for our parents and start an Atala Family Appreciation Week at the end of the month. Can't talk too much more about that right now as I know many of our parents read my "Diary." :)
Spread Your Wings!
Now the great news: we have had 7 new students enroll since November and another 2-4 will start this month! We are splitting the Upper Elementary and Middle School so each will have their own room next year. And if things keep moving the way they are, we will be needing a third preschool rooms. We have even discussed having an infant room if the need arises. All in all we have been extremely busy and the phone is ringing off the hook.
This month is our Rodeo Days celebration so we'll be heading to Redland Riding Academy for the festivities. We will also have a party for our parents and start an Atala Family Appreciation Week at the end of the month. Can't talk too much more about that right now as I know many of our parents read my "Diary." :)
Spread Your Wings!
08 December 2011
Simply Amazing
I am continually amazed at the fact that people who we thought were out of lives, had moved on with theirs, pop back up again. But really, we are doing what we need to do, keeping our noses clean, and completely above board. We have the City of Homestead's support and blessings, yet some very petty people find the need to try to derail our beautiful school at every turn. Fortunately none of these lame attempts have work. We have a clean operation and that's that. Bad business practices will never win over good. Always take the high road and stay positive.
Spread Your Wings!
Spread Your Wings!
06 December 2011
Crazy times...
We are having a terrific winter so far. Only 8 more school days until our Winter break. The kids were invited to sing at the Historic Downtown Homestead Christmas Tree Lighting again this year. So much fun!
Five new children started this week and the phone has literally been ringing off the hook the last few days. Tours are being given 2-3 times each day, every day. Crazy times, but awesome.
Got some news that may be good, but we haven't figured out how and when to move forward. More on that when I have a bit more information.
I love my family, my job, my colleagues, the Atala kids, and my life. Couldn't ask for anything more. Just needing a little guidance on the future. But that will come.
Spread Your Wings!
Five new children started this week and the phone has literally been ringing off the hook the last few days. Tours are being given 2-3 times each day, every day. Crazy times, but awesome.
Got some news that may be good, but we haven't figured out how and when to move forward. More on that when I have a bit more information.
I love my family, my job, my colleagues, the Atala kids, and my life. Couldn't ask for anything more. Just needing a little guidance on the future. But that will come.
Spread Your Wings!
17 November 2011
Happy days
Just getting over a terrible case of bronchitis, feeling down because of being sick, and suddenly we have the phone ringing off the hook with new students! We have three new kids starting on the Monday after Thanksgiving, 1 starting the first of January, and three more starting as soon as they can possibly transfer to Atala. What a fabulously great week this has turned out to be! We can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel on this miserable economy. Our parents are happy, the kids are happy, and we have new families calling and emailing every week. Definitely a good feeling!
We're working on our Winter Production, a fabulous show based on the theme of "Peace." All the kids are starting to learn songs for the Christmas Tree Lighting. And we're buzzing along with Thanksgiving preparations for next week.
Not much else to say. Life is good.
Spread Your Wings!
We're working on our Winter Production, a fabulous show based on the theme of "Peace." All the kids are starting to learn songs for the Christmas Tree Lighting. And we're buzzing along with Thanksgiving preparations for next week.
Not much else to say. Life is good.
Spread Your Wings!
23 October 2011
Mid-October Thoughts
It's been a month of ups and downs, but that's to be expected. One of the best things that happened to me was that I received a couple of "fan" letters! There are people who are reading my blog, responding, and even beginning to recognize how crazy academic life can be (especially in a state university) if you really want change.
A non-Atala note. One of our family's close friends was just fired. When you care only about yourself and do not realize you're a part of something bigger, when you act out because you do not have the place of honor you think you deserve, or when you don't remember that it's not about you, there are consequences. I was very sad this week to find out a family friend caused so much heartache and strife because he was so very self-centered and uncaring of others. Nothing can be done now since he refuses to take responsibility for how he acted.
Atala-related things: one of the other Atala owners was just honored for over 30 years of service to Montessori education. She was one of 48 women and men in South Florida--and the only one from Homestead!--to receive this honor. The whole staff attended the conference where the award was given, and believe me, we all stood up and cheered loudly as she was called forward to receive her plaque.
Times are tough. The economy stinks. There's no denying that. Things are definitely effecting the lower and middle classes a lot more than those with a lot money. Our school numbers are ahead of where we were last year, but we still would like to fill our rooms. Been spending a lot of time mulling over numbers, creating projections (budget and enrollment) and trying to figure out best to serve the children and parents of Homestead. Sometimes it seems impossible, but there's always a path. We just need to pick the best one.
Finally, Livya had an awesome costume party complete with bobbing for apples! My little girl is 6 and my big guy Liam is 10. Both are great kids and I am so proud to be their mom.
Spread Your Wings!
A non-Atala note. One of our family's close friends was just fired. When you care only about yourself and do not realize you're a part of something bigger, when you act out because you do not have the place of honor you think you deserve, or when you don't remember that it's not about you, there are consequences. I was very sad this week to find out a family friend caused so much heartache and strife because he was so very self-centered and uncaring of others. Nothing can be done now since he refuses to take responsibility for how he acted.
Atala-related things: one of the other Atala owners was just honored for over 30 years of service to Montessori education. She was one of 48 women and men in South Florida--and the only one from Homestead!--to receive this honor. The whole staff attended the conference where the award was given, and believe me, we all stood up and cheered loudly as she was called forward to receive her plaque.
Times are tough. The economy stinks. There's no denying that. Things are definitely effecting the lower and middle classes a lot more than those with a lot money. Our school numbers are ahead of where we were last year, but we still would like to fill our rooms. Been spending a lot of time mulling over numbers, creating projections (budget and enrollment) and trying to figure out best to serve the children and parents of Homestead. Sometimes it seems impossible, but there's always a path. We just need to pick the best one.
Finally, Livya had an awesome costume party complete with bobbing for apples! My little girl is 6 and my big guy Liam is 10. Both are great kids and I am so proud to be their mom.
Spread Your Wings!
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