So, a bit’s happened since last I posted. If you permit, a bit on my personal life. I’ll get back to the professional hobnobbery soon.
Three weeks ago, I received an e-mail, now I live in Philadelphia and start tomorrow with the gang at the Science Leadership Academy. The last few weeks have been some of the most trying and growth forcing of my life. Tonight, I sit in the living room of a new colleague who is giving me shelter after my initial hopes of an apartment fell through waiting for the first home-cooked meal in over three weeks.
Tomorrow, I visit the wonderful people of the central office of the Philadelphia public schools and work out exactly how I’ll be securing my emergency certification.
After the day is done, I’ll be signing a lease and moving in to a new apartment.
The process of packing up my life, bidding farewell to my Floridian friends, telling my students, working out out-of-state certification, has been trying.
With even the little perspective that one day in Philly has offered, it is a grand and exciting adventure that I’ve embarked upon.
New students, new peers, new tools, a new city (I’m all about listing at the moment) – they await me on this new horizon.
One of the aspects that interests me is the continued communication that will happen between my students in Florida and I. Through this blog, my teacher myspace page, e-mail and ANGEL, we will be able to participate and educate one another from afar. I don’t have a clear picture of what that will entail, but I know I look forward to the new lexicon to be formed by all parties.
For now, I prepare for the coming day and credit my arrival for the good fortune of the Phillies this afternoon. I wonder if I can take them all the way to the World Series.
Mr. Chase,
As your former principal, I know you will make a significance difference in the student’s lives at Science Leadership Academy.
I wish you well in this wondeful new challenge. As Laura would say, “You Rock”.
Keep in contact.
Dr. Shelley
Oh Zac… I’m heartbroken that you’re gone! Florida has definitely experienced a loss. Kudos to Philly. I heard several weeks ago that you might be leaving, but I was hoping it wasn’t true! You will be dearly missed.
Well, I guess you’ll have to change your bio on here too… something like, “From Springfield, via Sarasota and on to Philly.”
I look forward to reading your Phoenix students’ reflections as they move through this change with you. They are an amazing group of young people and have already shown tremendous growth in their handling of this change. “Phoenix students definitely Rock!”