New Beginnings...

This has been quite an eventful week: academically, vocationally and physically. I joined a doctoral program, got started rearranging my department's curriculum and began a regular workout regimen.

Last month, I applied and was accepted to Walden University’s Doctor of Education – Teacher Leadership program. The first 6 semester-hour class officially began 2 weeks ago, and our first paper was due yesterday. It was a mildly difficult process that involved a tremendous amount of reading and introspection. I’m glad to have it completed and turned in as it makes me feel like I’ve truly begun the journey. I plan to finish the program by August, 2010.

Not nearly as ambitious as my academic adventure but much more frustrating, I was recently tasked with rearranging the curriculum in my department to start accommodating part-time high school students who will attend our classes in the morning during their junior year and then in the afternoon during their senior year and then full time after they graduate high school to complete our 2-year AAS program within one year of finishing high school. This is difficult because our program must be learned in sequence by both our full-time and part-time students sitting in the same classes at the same time. What makes it so difficult is that the part-time students will only attend the morning instruction their first year and only the afternoon instruction their second year. Anyone who has ever taught a sequential subject can easily see the problem with this scenario. It will be well worth it once we get everything in place.

I've noticed that frustration can be partly alleviated with a good workout. Last week I started going to the gym by 5:00 every morning. So far, I’ve not missed a day. For the past 7 mornings, I’ve gone in and gotten on the elliptical/stair machine for between 15 and 30 minutes. The first day, my heart rate got into the 160s, which freaked me out a little. After the 3rd day, I started having trouble even getting up into the 130s. Yesterday, the fire alarm went off 15 minutes into my workout, so it was cut a bit short. This morning, I increased the angle of inclination, and 20 minutes into it my heart-rate got up to 141.

I feel great!