Since my retirement, I was having a difficult time blogging. I promised myself I would continue to write. I’ve had some ideas for topics and I actually got started, but I was not inspired to continue and deleted them. Today, I read George Couros’ blog, “3 Ways Blogging Has Helped Me Grow as a Learner,”and I knew that I needed to get going again because blogging has been a way for me to reflect and to continue my learning.
Like George, I started blogging to experience what it would be like for our students. ("What Was I Thinking?") At the time, our students were being asked to do more persuasive types of writing as part of the Common Core State Standards. It was hard to keep going. I tried to blog regularly, but a set schedule didn't work out for me. Since I started six years ago, I've averaged about two per month. Some are better than others, and I am hopeful that readers were able to think about what I had written and apply it to themselves.
Now that I've retired after 45 years as an educator, I find myself continuing to read about teaching, leading, and learning, but I realize that as time passes, I may find new interests and new ideas to advocate for. After all, isn't that what retirement should be - the ending of one journey and the beginning of another?
During the last few months as a retiree, I've been able to binge-read books that I somehow didn't have the chance to read when I was working. I go to the gym and walk my dog regularly, something that is good for both of us since he is also getting older. I continue to purge (this will take a long time; we've lived in this house for 36+ years) and I've been able to get my hands dirty as I work on weeding and trying to be a gardener (this is definitely a work-in-progress as I have not been successful yet). It has been so relaxing!
Retirement came at the right time for me. I had prepared for it mentally and emotionally. I loved being the principal of Daniel K. Inouye Elementary School, and I still miss the people and the challenges, but it was time. I don't regret my decision at all, and I know the school continues to move forward in a positive direction under their new leadership team.
Those who read this blog know that we lost our second son recently ("Aloha, Jarand"). His passing made me realize that life is fleeting; we never know when it is our time. In the beginning, it was difficult for me to talk with people about how Jarand passed, but now, I see if as a responsibility to let others know how Chronic Kidney Disease can be prevented through early screening. This was not something I planned on doing in my retirement, but as a life-long learner and an educator, I believe this is something I need to do.
So as I write this blog post, my first in over a month, I realize that I do have something to write about. It may no longer be exclusively about education, but hopefully, writing will provide me with the venue to reflect and to continue to learn in the process. Thank you, George Couros, for getting me back to blogging!
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Friday, August 10, 2018
"Why?" Questions for Education
As I reflected on discussions about education at the national and state level and my experiences as an educator for 45 years, I want to pose these why? questions for education. I don't have the answers, but I believe that these are questions we might explore if we want to make the kinds of changes that are necessary to prepare our children to inherit a world where they can make a difference. Here are some of my why? questions:
- Why are schools so "traditional" and why is it so hard to change?
- Why aren't we looking at different ways to fund the building and/or upgrading our schools to the 21st century?
- Why can't developers be responsible to build schools for the areas they are developing?
- Why do we need standardized report cards to tell us how a student is doing in school? What do grades really tell us about a student?
- Why do we need standardized tests? What do these tests really tell us that we didn't already know about a student?
- Why do we have grade level standards? What would be a better way of collecting evidences of student progress - where they started and where they are now - as opposed to where we say they need to be by the end of a grade level?
- If we value innovation and diversity, why are we so intent on standardizing education?
- Why do we keep talking about school reform? When will we stop talking and do something amazing that will keep our teachers excited about teaching and our kids excited about learning?
- Why aren't educators valued in the United States as they are in other countries?
And my most important why? question is: If we say that the 'children are our future,' why aren't we willing to invest in that future?
What questions would you add to the discussion?
What questions would you add to the discussion?
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Hooray for Twitter!
As a recently retired principal, I have time on my hands. It’s wonderful to be able to relax and not be beholden to schedules and the responsibilities of the position.
Teaching staff returned to work in Hawaii this past week. It was great to see the enthusiasm as evidenced by the Twitter posts. Around ten years ago, I started a Twitter account for school, primarily to keep parents informed about upcoming events or activities. Then I read a blog somewhere that Twitter can be an effective professional development tool. Hmm . . . I decided that there was more to this social media site than I previously thought. I started paying more attention to who I followed and what they were sharing. I also did my best to share how Twitter was helping me as a principal, but getting others on-board was a challenge.
Last year, I wrote a blog, "Connecting with Our School Communities," encouraging principals to use social media to communicate about happenings at their school. I suggested using Twitter as a starting point. Twitter is not only a way to share the great things happening at our schools; it's also a wonderful way to learn about the latest educational research, to read about other schools, not just in our state but nationally and internationally, and to make connections that can enhance how we teach and learn.
As the year progressed, I noticed more and more educators and school leaders in Hawaii being active contributors on Twitter. When the school year started this past week, there were so many photos and tweets about how the first days of school were structured to engage and empower teachers so they, in turn, can use these strategies with their students. I saw schools using problem-solving processes, going on field trips to sites in their community, learning about SEL programs,and sharing information through collaborative group work. I saw tweets about partnerships with the community and engaging parents through different types of activities. The beauty of Twitter is that it then allows schools to contact each other especially if they are experiencing the same kinds of challenges, and through the many and diverse edchats,, an educator can participate and learn from other like-minded participants. Twitter provides an opportunity for individualized professional development.
It is my hope that all educators will begin to see the value in Twitter, not just as a tool for communication, but also as an opportunity to share and learn from each other. I would also encourage these schools to explore how their students can use Twitter to enhance their educational experiences. If you haven't tried Twitter yet, create an account and see how it might work for you.
Teaching staff returned to work in Hawaii this past week. It was great to see the enthusiasm as evidenced by the Twitter posts. Around ten years ago, I started a Twitter account for school, primarily to keep parents informed about upcoming events or activities. Then I read a blog somewhere that Twitter can be an effective professional development tool. Hmm . . . I decided that there was more to this social media site than I previously thought. I started paying more attention to who I followed and what they were sharing. I also did my best to share how Twitter was helping me as a principal, but getting others on-board was a challenge.
Last year, I wrote a blog, "Connecting with Our School Communities," encouraging principals to use social media to communicate about happenings at their school. I suggested using Twitter as a starting point. Twitter is not only a way to share the great things happening at our schools; it's also a wonderful way to learn about the latest educational research, to read about other schools, not just in our state but nationally and internationally, and to make connections that can enhance how we teach and learn.
As the year progressed, I noticed more and more educators and school leaders in Hawaii being active contributors on Twitter. When the school year started this past week, there were so many photos and tweets about how the first days of school were structured to engage and empower teachers so they, in turn, can use these strategies with their students. I saw schools using problem-solving processes, going on field trips to sites in their community, learning about SEL programs,and sharing information through collaborative group work. I saw tweets about partnerships with the community and engaging parents through different types of activities. The beauty of Twitter is that it then allows schools to contact each other especially if they are experiencing the same kinds of challenges, and through the many and diverse edchats,, an educator can participate and learn from other like-minded participants. Twitter provides an opportunity for individualized professional development.
It is my hope that all educators will begin to see the value in Twitter, not just as a tool for communication, but also as an opportunity to share and learn from each other. I would also encourage these schools to explore how their students can use Twitter to enhance their educational experiences. If you haven't tried Twitter yet, create an account and see how it might work for you.
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Is Criticism Leadership?
Recently, a political ad proclaimed, "Criticism is not leadership," a statement that caused some controversy. As someone who was in a leadership position until my recent retirement, I reflected on my beliefs and my experiences as I thought about this statement.
There are lots of books, articles, research, and blogs about leadership, and I’ve read my share of them. Yet I believe that I learned best from those around me. I observed leaders in action and reflected on what made them successful or why they might be having difficulty. I believe that everyone can be a leader. In a classroom, all students can be leaders if given the opportunity. In a school or business, every staff member has strengths that can be maximized to benefit the organization. It takes a culture where ideas are valued and people feel confident that they will be listened to.
It is important to know the history, culture, and the relationships in order to understand the challenges and how to address them. Coming from the outside and having never been a principal was a barrier for me when I was first appointed, one I knew I would have to overcome. It would be my actions that would determine whether the school community would accept me as their leader and decide to join in the conversation about what we might keep and what we might change. I found that listening to the conversations, building relationships, and asking questions really helped me to understand the strengths and the challenges at our school and how we could continue to improve.
In my over fifteen years as the principal, our school community initiated the discussions that led to changes that eventually were implemented school-wide. Some examples are: co-teaching, inclusive classrooms; blended learning classroom environments where students have daily access to technology to explore, discover, create, and share; project-based learning where students are actively engaged and empowered to make a difference in their world; professional learning communities based on teacher interest; and school community meetings held virtually via social media.
An environment of trust is essential when a new idea is proposed. At our school, we agreed that once an idea is put on the table, we no longer "own" it. It is now open for discussion and questions, and changes to the initial idea may be necessary. Sometimes, decisions can be agreed on quickly; other times, it takes longer or the team decides to put the idea on-hold until later; and at other times, teachers agree to try out their proposal and share their progress with the rest of the team.
Not all ideas will work. And some ideas will be started in one administration and continue - and hopefully improve - under the next administration. Leadership is about recognizing that a win-win can be achieved by working together and being mindful of others’ ideas as well as any concerns that need to be addressed.
What is criticism and does it lead to better results? Criticism, according to dictionary.com is “the act of passing severe judgment; censure; faultfinding.” When someone criticizes another person’s ideas, especially without offering proposals of their own, discussion ceases or people begin to take sides. When it's the leader criticizing, staff will lose trust and the willingness to share ideas. The culture of collaboratively seeking solutions and an environment of trust will need to be rebuilt, if that is possible.
Too often in today’s world, we fail to listen to other people’s concerns and viewpoints. Empathy for others is necessary if we are to resolve our problems, not just for today, but for future generations. Rather than criticizing others’ ideas or actions, effective leaders know how to engage our communities respectfully so we can all be part of the solution.
There are lots of books, articles, research, and blogs about leadership, and I’ve read my share of them. Yet I believe that I learned best from those around me. I observed leaders in action and reflected on what made them successful or why they might be having difficulty. I believe that everyone can be a leader. In a classroom, all students can be leaders if given the opportunity. In a school or business, every staff member has strengths that can be maximized to benefit the organization. It takes a culture where ideas are valued and people feel confident that they will be listened to.
It is important to know the history, culture, and the relationships in order to understand the challenges and how to address them. Coming from the outside and having never been a principal was a barrier for me when I was first appointed, one I knew I would have to overcome. It would be my actions that would determine whether the school community would accept me as their leader and decide to join in the conversation about what we might keep and what we might change. I found that listening to the conversations, building relationships, and asking questions really helped me to understand the strengths and the challenges at our school and how we could continue to improve.
In my over fifteen years as the principal, our school community initiated the discussions that led to changes that eventually were implemented school-wide. Some examples are: co-teaching, inclusive classrooms; blended learning classroom environments where students have daily access to technology to explore, discover, create, and share; project-based learning where students are actively engaged and empowered to make a difference in their world; professional learning communities based on teacher interest; and school community meetings held virtually via social media.
An environment of trust is essential when a new idea is proposed. At our school, we agreed that once an idea is put on the table, we no longer "own" it. It is now open for discussion and questions, and changes to the initial idea may be necessary. Sometimes, decisions can be agreed on quickly; other times, it takes longer or the team decides to put the idea on-hold until later; and at other times, teachers agree to try out their proposal and share their progress with the rest of the team.
Not all ideas will work. And some ideas will be started in one administration and continue - and hopefully improve - under the next administration. Leadership is about recognizing that a win-win can be achieved by working together and being mindful of others’ ideas as well as any concerns that need to be addressed.
What is criticism and does it lead to better results? Criticism, according to dictionary.com is “the act of passing severe judgment; censure; faultfinding.” When someone criticizes another person’s ideas, especially without offering proposals of their own, discussion ceases or people begin to take sides. When it's the leader criticizing, staff will lose trust and the willingness to share ideas. The culture of collaboratively seeking solutions and an environment of trust will need to be rebuilt, if that is possible.
Too often in today’s world, we fail to listen to other people’s concerns and viewpoints. Empathy for others is necessary if we are to resolve our problems, not just for today, but for future generations. Rather than criticizing others’ ideas or actions, effective leaders know how to engage our communities respectfully so we can all be part of the solution.
Saturday, July 14, 2018
Aloha, Jarand
We bid our final farewell to our second son Jarand in a Celebration of Life last weekend. Our family was overwhelmed with the outpouring of love from such a diverse group of people who all were positively impacted by Jarand in some way. The stories people shared about our son were heartwarming and made us proud to have raised such a generous and caring person who made others feel welcome and included.
I grappled with the idea of going public with why Jarand was taken from us when he was just 38 years old and lived life with purpose and passion. It was a difficult decision, but one I think needs to be shared.
Back in January, Jarand went to renew his prescription for his contact lenses. During the examination, his optometrist was alarmed that his eyes were hemorrhaging and immediately sent him to the emergency room. He was hospitalized for five days while they ran tests. Jarand's blood pressure was highly elevated, his heart was enlarged, and he was diagnosed with Stage 5 Kidney Disease. How could we have missed the signs? Jarand was an active young man, and now, his world as he knew it, was about to change drastically. I was ignorant and needed to do research on Chronic Kidney Disease. I knew people who were on dialysis, but I never knew that it is called "the silent killer" because often, there are no symptoms. According to an article, "Chronic kidney disease takes heavy toll in Hawaii," 1 in 7 adults in America are affected by CKD, and the number of deaths has doubled in the past twenty years. In Hawaii, according to statistics, the number of kidney dialysis patients rose 42% between 2006 and 2014. Sobering statistics.
At first, Jarand was in denial; he insisted that he felt fine and was not experiencing the symptoms associated with CKD. To his credit, he read the information that was shared with him, listened to his doctors, followed up with his blood tests and medical appointments, took his medication, changed his eating habits (this was difficult because he loved good food and posted photos on Instagram with the hashtag 'foodporn'), took his blood pressure every morning and evening, and started exercising more regularly. He went to an information session about kidney transplants, and we were ready to be tested to see if any of us were a match for him. Whenever we called or texted Jarand, he insisted that he was doing well. After his last appointment with the nephrologist, Jarand was optimistic; his numbers were improving, and he was very close to being Stage 4 instead of Stage 5. His diligence seemed to be paying off.
On May 19, Jarand went on a Pokemon Go raid with his brother, his nephews, and some friends. When they parted, he hugged and kissed his nephews and said he would be at Jace's soccer game the next day. He called Randy and me and said he had an early appointment with some clients. He went to sleep and passed away peacefully sometime that evening or early the next day. The cause of death, according to the coroner, was Stage 4 Kidney Disease.
I share Jarand's story because so many of us neglect to take care of our health. Jarand didn't look sick. He had actually lost weight (sudden weight loss is a symptom of CKD) and I, as well as others, complimented him on how great he looked. If only I knew . . . In hindsight, we were being optimistic (or were we naive?) that if Jarand took care of himself, and if one of us were a match for a transplant, he would have a second chance at life, albeit one with restrictions. Sadly, that didn't happen.
On July 11, 2018, the Honolulu City Council unanimously approved Resolution 18-134 to name the tennis complex at the Patsy Mink Central Oahu Regional Park after our second son. We are humbled by this honor; this 20-court world-class facility hosts national as well as local tournaments, and it is well-utilized throughout the year by players of all ages. Jarand loved tennis and other sports, but he also loved coaching. He had a positive influence on his players, and they and their parents were among the many who attended his Celebration of Life. At the City Council meeting, Randy shared our testimony, then he read a card we received from one of Jarand's players:
Dear Jarand's family,
Jarand was my soccer coach when I was in middle school. We were called "Chaos!" I played soccer at MHS and then on to college at Pacific University in Oregon. I remember at one practice he made us practice celebrating because he said when we score, we were emotionless. LOL! So he made us scream & jump & even do a victory dance if we scored! I used my celebration skills throughout my whole soccer career. I am now 30 years old and am so grateful for Coach Jarand and that time he gave us . . . He coached us for free! We all loved him.
Love, Brenda Sekigawa
Brenda substitute taught and coached fitness until she became a flight attendant for a major airline. Presently, she works with youth at her church, so she is paying it forward by positively impacting other young lives just as Coach Jarand influenced her's.
We lost Jarand to a disease that is preventable. By sharing Jarand's story, I hope that all those who knew him - as well as those who will see his name at the Jarand M.Y. Iwase Tennis Complex - will take the time to get regular medical checkups so any symptoms, can be addressed immediately before it gets to Stage 4 or 5. As Glen Hayashida President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii stated, "The solution to address the issue of chronic kidney disease cannot be building more dialysis centers, but unfortunately, that seems to be the track we're on. It's just too expensive of a solution, so we really need to look at prevention. That's really the key to chronic disease."
As a parent, we never think we will outlive our child. I know that Jarand is giving us permission to tell his story so that others will not have to experience the pain of losing our loved ones to chronic kidney disease, the silent killer. Let's take the time to hug those we love a little harder, to live each day to the fullest, to treat others well, and most importantly, to take care of ourselves.
#ahuihoujarand
I grappled with the idea of going public with why Jarand was taken from us when he was just 38 years old and lived life with purpose and passion. It was a difficult decision, but one I think needs to be shared.
Back in January, Jarand went to renew his prescription for his contact lenses. During the examination, his optometrist was alarmed that his eyes were hemorrhaging and immediately sent him to the emergency room. He was hospitalized for five days while they ran tests. Jarand's blood pressure was highly elevated, his heart was enlarged, and he was diagnosed with Stage 5 Kidney Disease. How could we have missed the signs? Jarand was an active young man, and now, his world as he knew it, was about to change drastically. I was ignorant and needed to do research on Chronic Kidney Disease. I knew people who were on dialysis, but I never knew that it is called "the silent killer" because often, there are no symptoms. According to an article, "Chronic kidney disease takes heavy toll in Hawaii," 1 in 7 adults in America are affected by CKD, and the number of deaths has doubled in the past twenty years. In Hawaii, according to statistics, the number of kidney dialysis patients rose 42% between 2006 and 2014. Sobering statistics.
At first, Jarand was in denial; he insisted that he felt fine and was not experiencing the symptoms associated with CKD. To his credit, he read the information that was shared with him, listened to his doctors, followed up with his blood tests and medical appointments, took his medication, changed his eating habits (this was difficult because he loved good food and posted photos on Instagram with the hashtag 'foodporn'), took his blood pressure every morning and evening, and started exercising more regularly. He went to an information session about kidney transplants, and we were ready to be tested to see if any of us were a match for him. Whenever we called or texted Jarand, he insisted that he was doing well. After his last appointment with the nephrologist, Jarand was optimistic; his numbers were improving, and he was very close to being Stage 4 instead of Stage 5. His diligence seemed to be paying off.
On May 19, Jarand went on a Pokemon Go raid with his brother, his nephews, and some friends. When they parted, he hugged and kissed his nephews and said he would be at Jace's soccer game the next day. He called Randy and me and said he had an early appointment with some clients. He went to sleep and passed away peacefully sometime that evening or early the next day. The cause of death, according to the coroner, was Stage 4 Kidney Disease.
I share Jarand's story because so many of us neglect to take care of our health. Jarand didn't look sick. He had actually lost weight (sudden weight loss is a symptom of CKD) and I, as well as others, complimented him on how great he looked. If only I knew . . . In hindsight, we were being optimistic (or were we naive?) that if Jarand took care of himself, and if one of us were a match for a transplant, he would have a second chance at life, albeit one with restrictions. Sadly, that didn't happen.
On July 11, 2018, the Honolulu City Council unanimously approved Resolution 18-134 to name the tennis complex at the Patsy Mink Central Oahu Regional Park after our second son. We are humbled by this honor; this 20-court world-class facility hosts national as well as local tournaments, and it is well-utilized throughout the year by players of all ages. Jarand loved tennis and other sports, but he also loved coaching. He had a positive influence on his players, and they and their parents were among the many who attended his Celebration of Life. At the City Council meeting, Randy shared our testimony, then he read a card we received from one of Jarand's players:
Dear Jarand's family,
Jarand was my soccer coach when I was in middle school. We were called "Chaos!" I played soccer at MHS and then on to college at Pacific University in Oregon. I remember at one practice he made us practice celebrating because he said when we score, we were emotionless. LOL! So he made us scream & jump & even do a victory dance if we scored! I used my celebration skills throughout my whole soccer career. I am now 30 years old and am so grateful for Coach Jarand and that time he gave us . . . He coached us for free! We all loved him.
Love, Brenda Sekigawa
Brenda substitute taught and coached fitness until she became a flight attendant for a major airline. Presently, she works with youth at her church, so she is paying it forward by positively impacting other young lives just as Coach Jarand influenced her's.
We lost Jarand to a disease that is preventable. By sharing Jarand's story, I hope that all those who knew him - as well as those who will see his name at the Jarand M.Y. Iwase Tennis Complex - will take the time to get regular medical checkups so any symptoms, can be addressed immediately before it gets to Stage 4 or 5. As Glen Hayashida President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii stated, "The solution to address the issue of chronic kidney disease cannot be building more dialysis centers, but unfortunately, that seems to be the track we're on. It's just too expensive of a solution, so we really need to look at prevention. That's really the key to chronic disease."
As a parent, we never think we will outlive our child. I know that Jarand is giving us permission to tell his story so that others will not have to experience the pain of losing our loved ones to chronic kidney disease, the silent killer. Let's take the time to hug those we love a little harder, to live each day to the fullest, to treat others well, and most importantly, to take care of ourselves.
#ahuihoujarand
Saturday, June 30, 2018
So What’s Next?
Today is June 30, 2018, my “official” last day of work with the Hawaii Department of Education. I’ve been on vacation for the last seven of those days, and this has afforded me the time to reflect on what’s ahead.
I must say that this vacation has been different for me. In the past, I always had my computer and I was in touch with what was going on back at school. I knew that if I didn’t keep up with emails, I would be inundated when I returned to work. Right now, I still have access to Lotus Notes on my phone but I’m not really responding to queries; I’m forwarding anything important to Principal Arikawa for follow-up. Whenever I was on vacation before, I got up early and took care of my emails before Randy woke up. Then I’d find time when we returned to our hotel to take care of any new emails that arrived and work on anything else that needed to get done - agendas or presentations for upcoming meetings, staff bulletins, school plans, etc. Some vacation, huh?
I am a morning person. That’s just how we were raised in our family. Dad got to work while it was still dark, so Mom got up earlier to prepare breakfast for the family and get us off to a good start. My first job was as a summer pineapple field worker, and if we weren’t at the station and in our seat with our “gang,” the truck would leave without us. As a teacher and a mom, morning routines were important to get the day off on a positive note, and even when our sons grew up, I continued to wake up early in order to get things done. I found that when I became a principal, mornings and evenings were essential in order to get ahead or to catch up on what I missed during a busy day. I anticipate continuing this routine, but now, I’ll find new ways to fill my time both in the mornings and in the evenings.
The question I’m asked most often is, “So what are you going to do now that you’re retiring?” When I give vague responses, some people knowingly tell me that I’ll be back, at least part-time. Let me say that this is not what I foresee at this time.
I do intend to keep on blogging. When I first became a principal in February 2003, we were encouraged to journal daily. I tried, but when I realized that my entries were starting to sound the same, I quit. I started this blog in 2012, albeit under a different title, and because these are my personal thoughts and reflections, I no longer set requirements regarding how often to blog. I think this is a great time for me to go back and read my original journal entries as well as all my blog posts. If nothing else, I should see my transformation as a school leader.
Retirement is my opportunity to continue to learn, but now, I’ll be learning new things I didn’t have time for in the past when I was working. I don’t anticipate that my time clock will change; I’ll still be an early riser. Now, though, I’ll have more choices on how to spend my time, and that’s what I’m looking forward to!
I must say that this vacation has been different for me. In the past, I always had my computer and I was in touch with what was going on back at school. I knew that if I didn’t keep up with emails, I would be inundated when I returned to work. Right now, I still have access to Lotus Notes on my phone but I’m not really responding to queries; I’m forwarding anything important to Principal Arikawa for follow-up. Whenever I was on vacation before, I got up early and took care of my emails before Randy woke up. Then I’d find time when we returned to our hotel to take care of any new emails that arrived and work on anything else that needed to get done - agendas or presentations for upcoming meetings, staff bulletins, school plans, etc. Some vacation, huh?
I am a morning person. That’s just how we were raised in our family. Dad got to work while it was still dark, so Mom got up earlier to prepare breakfast for the family and get us off to a good start. My first job was as a summer pineapple field worker, and if we weren’t at the station and in our seat with our “gang,” the truck would leave without us. As a teacher and a mom, morning routines were important to get the day off on a positive note, and even when our sons grew up, I continued to wake up early in order to get things done. I found that when I became a principal, mornings and evenings were essential in order to get ahead or to catch up on what I missed during a busy day. I anticipate continuing this routine, but now, I’ll find new ways to fill my time both in the mornings and in the evenings.
The question I’m asked most often is, “So what are you going to do now that you’re retiring?” When I give vague responses, some people knowingly tell me that I’ll be back, at least part-time. Let me say that this is not what I foresee at this time.
I do intend to keep on blogging. When I first became a principal in February 2003, we were encouraged to journal daily. I tried, but when I realized that my entries were starting to sound the same, I quit. I started this blog in 2012, albeit under a different title, and because these are my personal thoughts and reflections, I no longer set requirements regarding how often to blog. I think this is a great time for me to go back and read my original journal entries as well as all my blog posts. If nothing else, I should see my transformation as a school leader.
Retirement is my opportunity to continue to learn, but now, I’ll be learning new things I didn’t have time for in the past when I was working. I don’t anticipate that my time clock will change; I’ll still be an early riser. Now, though, I’ll have more choices on how to spend my time, and that’s what I’m looking forward to!
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Family Time
We had planned this trip back in February when plans for my family’s reunion were finalized. The location would be at a restaurant in San Jose, so we made reservations for a suite in Burlingame so our family could be together and close enough to drive to make the most of the trip.
When our second son Jarand passed away unexpectedly, I briefly thought abut cancelling the trip but realized that it might be a way to heal. I’m glad I didn’t cancel; Jarand is with us on this trip. This was the first trip he would be taking to California since moving to Las Vegas three years ago. He was looking forward to it.
Randy was so excited to visit his Law School in San Francisco. He hadn’t been back to walk the grounds since he graduated back in 1974. It has changed a lot since then, and as he went through the rooms, he reminisced about the classes he took. We ate at Mel’s Diner where he ate sometimes when he was in Law School and showed us the apartment he lived in during his last year at USF. It overlooks Mel’s Diner. During his three years in Law School, Randy learned how to analyze and synthesize information, skills that have proven useful to him in his many different career choices such as Deputy Attorney General, City Councilmember, Director of Aloha Tower Development, State Senator, Chair of the Labor Appeals Board, and now Chair of the Public Utilities Commission.
This was not my first time in San Francisco, but this time, as we drove around the city, I was particularly drawn to the layout of the city and the architecture of the homes and buildings which was clearly designed for the city. The tall, narrow Victorian-style homes stacked next to each other appealed to me, but at the same time, I felt somewhat claustrophobic with so little space between the homes. Our son Justin is a realtor and he follows trends around the country. The whole area is the second-most expensive in the country, next to San Jose which is part of Silicon Valley. Honolulu is number four.
On Friday, we visited Randy’s 86-year-old aunt whom we rarely see since she moved back to the mainland about 30 years ago to be closer to her children. It was a long drive by Hawaii standards, but it included crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. What an engineering wonder! We could see the bridge from the distance, and it was even more impressive in person than it is in pictures! (After returning from our day trip, I googled to find out more about the Golden Gate Bridge. I was especially interested in how the workers were protected during the construction. Amazing!) It was wonderful to see Aunty Kike; she has some health issues but is still alert and communicative. I’m sure it was nostalgic for Randy’s family to reminisce about past events, and our grandsons had a wonderful time exploring and discovering in the back yard. Time seems to melt away when we’re with family; the stories that were shared were often acccompanied by hearty laughter.
Saturday was a busy day. Our family reunion was in the evening so we stopped along the way at Levi’s Stadium where the San Francisco 49ers recently relocated to. Since the 49ers was Jarand’s favorite team, we had to visit for him. He would have loved learning more about the history of the team and their philosophy. I could just imagine his excitement as we walked through the museum. SF has always been my favorite team as well, but this year, our whole family will be cheering for the 49ers to have a great season.
One of the great things about Google is finding new places to visit. That’s how we found the Tech Museum of Innovation (https://www.thetech.org/) in San Jose. We could have spent all day there; it was a such a fun, hands-on place filled with new learning. I experienced being a bird flying over the city through a short virtual reality activity; truthfully, I wasn’t thrilled about it, but it was definitely something new to try. We tried to experience as much as we could in the hours we had available to us; that’s really not conducive to deeper learning. However, that is what we did since we don’t know if we’ll ever have another opportunity to visit there. I think that’s true when we travel to a new place. In our desire to experience as much as possible, we rush from place-to-place and miss out on the deeper learning. Is that how learning is in school as well?
The Amemiya family reunion was fun; it was great to see relatives we hadn’t seen in years and to talk story. The family is scattered around the country, and many were unable to make the trip due to a variety of reasons. My grandfather is a first generation immigrant, and my grandma is second generation; she was born in Hawaii. Seven children, 21 grandchildren, and many fourth and fifth generations later, our family has grown considerably. Through the power of social media, we keep in touch with what is happening in our lives. I can’t imagine not being connected through Facebook and Instagram!
This was a very busy, short trip to California, packed with activities. Next, we’ll “relax” in Las Vegas and spend time with Justin, Jace, and Jayden before returning to Hawaii. My retirement won’t be official until the end of the month, but I can tell that I’ll adjust. There’s so much to explore and discover and learn!
PS - This was my first time adding to my blog from my iPad. It’s an adjustment, and I don’t know how to add pictures. One more thing to learn iduring my upcoming retirement!
When our second son Jarand passed away unexpectedly, I briefly thought abut cancelling the trip but realized that it might be a way to heal. I’m glad I didn’t cancel; Jarand is with us on this trip. This was the first trip he would be taking to California since moving to Las Vegas three years ago. He was looking forward to it.
Randy was so excited to visit his Law School in San Francisco. He hadn’t been back to walk the grounds since he graduated back in 1974. It has changed a lot since then, and as he went through the rooms, he reminisced about the classes he took. We ate at Mel’s Diner where he ate sometimes when he was in Law School and showed us the apartment he lived in during his last year at USF. It overlooks Mel’s Diner. During his three years in Law School, Randy learned how to analyze and synthesize information, skills that have proven useful to him in his many different career choices such as Deputy Attorney General, City Councilmember, Director of Aloha Tower Development, State Senator, Chair of the Labor Appeals Board, and now Chair of the Public Utilities Commission.
This was not my first time in San Francisco, but this time, as we drove around the city, I was particularly drawn to the layout of the city and the architecture of the homes and buildings which was clearly designed for the city. The tall, narrow Victorian-style homes stacked next to each other appealed to me, but at the same time, I felt somewhat claustrophobic with so little space between the homes. Our son Justin is a realtor and he follows trends around the country. The whole area is the second-most expensive in the country, next to San Jose which is part of Silicon Valley. Honolulu is number four.
On Friday, we visited Randy’s 86-year-old aunt whom we rarely see since she moved back to the mainland about 30 years ago to be closer to her children. It was a long drive by Hawaii standards, but it included crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. What an engineering wonder! We could see the bridge from the distance, and it was even more impressive in person than it is in pictures! (After returning from our day trip, I googled to find out more about the Golden Gate Bridge. I was especially interested in how the workers were protected during the construction. Amazing!) It was wonderful to see Aunty Kike; she has some health issues but is still alert and communicative. I’m sure it was nostalgic for Randy’s family to reminisce about past events, and our grandsons had a wonderful time exploring and discovering in the back yard. Time seems to melt away when we’re with family; the stories that were shared were often acccompanied by hearty laughter.
Saturday was a busy day. Our family reunion was in the evening so we stopped along the way at Levi’s Stadium where the San Francisco 49ers recently relocated to. Since the 49ers was Jarand’s favorite team, we had to visit for him. He would have loved learning more about the history of the team and their philosophy. I could just imagine his excitement as we walked through the museum. SF has always been my favorite team as well, but this year, our whole family will be cheering for the 49ers to have a great season.
One of the great things about Google is finding new places to visit. That’s how we found the Tech Museum of Innovation (https://www.thetech.org/) in San Jose. We could have spent all day there; it was a such a fun, hands-on place filled with new learning. I experienced being a bird flying over the city through a short virtual reality activity; truthfully, I wasn’t thrilled about it, but it was definitely something new to try. We tried to experience as much as we could in the hours we had available to us; that’s really not conducive to deeper learning. However, that is what we did since we don’t know if we’ll ever have another opportunity to visit there. I think that’s true when we travel to a new place. In our desire to experience as much as possible, we rush from place-to-place and miss out on the deeper learning. Is that how learning is in school as well?
The Amemiya family reunion was fun; it was great to see relatives we hadn’t seen in years and to talk story. The family is scattered around the country, and many were unable to make the trip due to a variety of reasons. My grandfather is a first generation immigrant, and my grandma is second generation; she was born in Hawaii. Seven children, 21 grandchildren, and many fourth and fifth generations later, our family has grown considerably. Through the power of social media, we keep in touch with what is happening in our lives. I can’t imagine not being connected through Facebook and Instagram!
This was a very busy, short trip to California, packed with activities. Next, we’ll “relax” in Las Vegas and spend time with Justin, Jace, and Jayden before returning to Hawaii. My retirement won’t be official until the end of the month, but I can tell that I’ll adjust. There’s so much to explore and discover and learn!
PS - This was my first time adding to my blog from my iPad. It’s an adjustment, and I don’t know how to add pictures. One more thing to learn iduring my upcoming retirement!
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