When you were little, did you know what you wanted to be when you grew up? I have this vague memory of being in Kindergarten and having to draw a picture of what we wanted to be…mine was a nurse because I wanted to help people and make them feel better. Imagine that π I have come full circle from that little 5 yr old girl nearly 50 years ago.
I don’t think I thought much about a future career until I got into high school when you kind of had to get serious about some things. I remember as a freshman that I wanted to be a coach because I wanted to motivate players to do better. Hmmm, pretty sure I was meant to be in the position I am today π
I went to William Woods on a volleyball/basketball scholarship and majored in Physical Education…I wanted to teach kids how to be healthy and fit. I taught for a year at California Elementary and coached volleyball and track. Unfortunately budget cuts happened and I had to decide what to do with my life so I went on to Lincoln University to get my elementary certification so besides being able to teach PE K-12, I now hold a certification to teach in grades 1-8…can you see me teaching little 1st or 2nd graders?? π Shout out to all of the younger age school teachers, y’all are saints! I ended up getting a 6th grade classroom position at Eldon Middle School in 1994 I believe (I think it’s because I was willing to coach) I ended up coaching volleyball and basketball that year…all while having a two year old!
I taught 6th grade for three years and then was able to obtain the PE position – Dream job! With it came more coaching-volleyball, basketball and track – all at different levels but mostly middle school (my favorite age really to help). During that time, add in another little girl!
In 2001, I graduated with my Masters in Education degree with an emphasis in Educational Technology. Soon after that I learned of a new position opening up at Trinity Lutheran School where my daughter attended. I was the 8th grade homeroom teacher and middle school PE teacher; again with coaching responsibilities. However, I loved (almost) every minute of it because these kids were driven and I LOVED to WIN! My first 2 years there we won the state basketball tournament twice and state volleyball once AND went to the Lutheran National Basketball Tournament and placed 2nd in the nation two years in a row. The second year was a heartbreaking loss by 2 points, but we were all winners in my book. (third child arrived in 2003!)
(Don’t worry, I’m going somewhere with this!) I was at Trinity for 10 great years, 3 in the classroom and 7 as the full time PE teacher meaning I could share my love of fitness with every grade level at the school. Yes, I love to inspire the kiddos and teach them how to stay healthy but that didn’t always mean that I walked the walk…I was a tired wife, mom and coach and I let myself go (in a bad way). I tried to do everything for everyone else before doing something for myself…sound familiar? I know a LOT of parents who do this same exact thing! Why don’t we fill up our own pitchers first so we have more to give out? I suppose we are creatures of habit.
I still find myself burning the candle at both ends…I know it’s not the right way to go about things, but how do I get to where I want to be? I make solid, good choices, that’s how! I choose to get up at the same time every day and spend some alone & clarity time; I choose to workout to help out my mindset; I choose to eat healthy at least 80% of the time in order to reach my goals; I choose to get at least 7 hours of sleep per night; I choose to have adequate intake of water to stay hydrated; and I CHOOSE to spread joy whenever I can. I find that if I give more, I get more in return spirit wise. Does that make sense?
So to finally get to my point from the beginning, I had to tell you about what I wanted to be when I grew up…I want to be THAT person who inspires someone else to be better than yesterday; I want to be THAT coach who motivates an athlete to give just a little bit more in a workout; and I want to be THAT wife, mom, friend, daughter, aunt, cousin, etc…who helps another get to where they want to be.
Need some guidance? Need some coaching? Need motivation? I’m your gal! Thanks for listening to me ramble! Happy Friday Eve! π
Work Hard, Eat Clean, Be Blessed!
