In Which It's Been a Long, Long Time . . .

The last time I've written about me is April 30. That is a darn long time ago and a lot has happened since then. Facebook is so ubiquitous in my life, I assume everyone knows everything, but realistically no full stories are told on FB--it's pretty much just the highlight reel, right?

So many of you have been with me for so long--7 years--you've seen my life transform in some drastic ways. One of those major transitions has been career-wise. For the past 18 months, I taught pharmacy technicians and running the externship program (a vocational internship) for a  campus of a well-known chain of vocational schools (I started as a adjunct three years ago). My department was overseen by the Allied Health Program Director (the umbrella for the pharmacy tech, medical assistant and medical billing & coding programs). Since the M.A. portion is far and away the largest program, and has a separate accreditation which requires someone with an M.A. credentials, the program director (PD) has always come from that background. 

My former boss was a reluctant and interim administrator and, in the interests of making the position easier to fill and do, I was asked a couple of months ago to take over the role of PD for Pharm Tech and MBC, and the MA program would stand alone. I said yes and I really enjoyed the job for three weeks--which is the length of time I had it before they powers-that-be came back to me and shared an idea for bringing everything back under the Allied Health umbrella, having me run it, and having my former boss be my assistant. 

I didn't respond immediately as the position meant leaving the classroom, but after thinking hard and negotiating salary (women: men don't take the opening offer and neither should you), I knew yes was the right answer. I'm not even going to humblebrag this one: I got promoted twice in one month 'cause I rock my job. Women need to start owning their awesome like men do and I've decided to lead by example.

I LOVE everything about my new job. 

I get to counsel students and since I've always had a soft spot for the underdog, getting to meet and hopefully  help lots of underdogs is amazing. Some I will be able to save and some I won't, but what a cool thing to spend your time trying to do! 

I get to lead a team of 12 and so far everyone seems happy with how they are being led. 

I get to bring my ideas and the ideas of others to fruition.

I get to put my master's degree in Instructional Leadership to great use by learning the language of data analysis and doing things like evaluating year-over-year trends and then drilling down for answers as to why.

I get to develop talent. 

I took this position two weeks before an internal audit and I worked six days a week, 12 hours a day to dig out from a considerable mess, but I did it and was part of a very impressive result campus-wide. I got to establish myself as a person that expects results, not excuses, and that was helpful.

Several people have remarked that my eyes sparkle when I talk about this new position and that can never be a bad thing. 

What else? Let's do this up-to-date thing:

• Helping plan, as part of the social media committee, #MarchAgainstED
• Still working on the Jenny situation--frantically, on occassion. She was just in the hospital for a week getting an endocronological workup. Next step getting sorted still.
• I am writing a lot about eating disorders (links at bottom of the post)
• Danger Boy and Social Butterfly are just about ready to go back to school. Time flies. DB will be a senior and SB hopes to study at University of New South Wales in the spring.
• My nephew, Travis, is living with us. This falls under the never say never category. He's gotten older and wiser (he is 8 days younger than DB) and is ready for some Jenn-style tough love to set him on his way. It's a good thing and I'm really happy we are in this place.
• Grownup Girl and Grownup Guy took a memorable Alaskan cruise and are now ready to focus on starting a family. Can't. Wait!
• So looking forward to a trip this coming weekend to see MVP and Mandy and her parents and attend this concert at Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Colorado. The concert was a birthday gift and we're going on our 27th wedding anniversary weekend. How cool is that?

 

 

Ten Things Parents Wish Educators Knew About Eating Disorders (This has been very well received and has been shared internationally and incorporated into at least one schools teacher training curriculum. I'm over the moon about it).

A five-part series for the Dr. Greene site (I am glad I saw his TED talk--cool info I'm sharing with my kiddos about waiting to cut the umbilical cord. Also, DB is impressed with me for being affiliated with someone who did a TED talk).

This post, a rebuttal to a New York Times piece is one I am proud of as I got positive feedback from two writers whose opinions I respect based on their own amazing talents as writers--Mary Petrie and Jocelyn Philaja. 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[busy bee suz]

So glad to see the update; all good stuff in your neck of the woods!
Did I sniff out 'baby news' might be coming?? :) Yippee-wishing them the best. I've always wanted to see a show at that amphitheater!!!!

[Cassi]

Things sound fantastic, and I think you deserve that :-)

[Jen on the Edge]

There are so many things in this post that make me very happy. Thank you for the detailed update.

[gary rith]

Oh man, HUGE steps forward, congrats :)

[Gail]

I guess I'm not the only one to be glad about this update. I've missed knowing what you and your family are doing. Is Mr. Fix-it still working in SLC?

[Smalltown Me]

You are awesome at everything you do.

[Green Girl in Wisconsin]

Things HAVE changed a lot since we first "met" here...so proud of your promotion. I can well imagine how much you rock the job, you're a "pusher" and I bet your interns get lots of help through doors. And the rest of it--golden years now, aren't they? Kids thriving, social justice getting achieved, bucket list emptying drop by drop...

[Jen]

Congratulations on the new job - it is well deserved and of course you will rock it! Great to hear all your news. I've been missing you!

[Jocelyn]

Well, clearly I was on a road trip and busy driving here and there--because I can't believe I'm just reading all of this now. You are correct: FB gives the highlights, but you strung together a bunch of dots for me here, in this post. Also: OMG, what a lovely shout-out at the end of your post!

So congrats on every last thing, from the promotion to the kids doing so well to your anniversary to being on fire in every aspect of your life. You are a marvel.

[lanes]

I know I'm late to the game but congrats on the job promotions!