I was born in southern California...a few years ago. My mother was a feminist who used to ask me when I was little what I wanted to be when I grew up. I would reply with "a mommy". She would say, no darling, you can be anything - a business owner, a lawyer, even president - what do you think you want to be when you grow up? I would reply again "a mommy". She then said honey if that is what you want to be, then that is great because you can be anything you want.
Many...or a few...years later, I did become a mom of two beautiful girls. I made some unwise choices, so I found myself - when my girls were 6 and 11 - completing my bachelors degree with honors and walking across a very hot stage in Weatherford, OK. Being an older student, I did not really care to walk across the stage, but I did it in order to show my girls that being successful can happen at any age. I wanted them to know education is important, and if by some unwise choice of their own, they end up wanting to capture a dream at a time they feel is past their prime - they must follow through with that dream. Some dreams take longer to accomplish than others, but that doesn't mean they are any less worth chasing. As my mother used to say "you will be five years older in five years. Why not be five years older with ______?"
A couple of years later, I found myself taking masters classes in Educational Administration at SWOSU. I met a formidable, intelligent, strong, wise, kind, and funny professor who became my mentor. Dr. Mary Aspedon made me want to be the best female administrator I could possibly be. She not only set a high example of what a successful administrator should be, but she also believed I could meet those lofty expectations. Because of her guidance and belief in me, I finally faced my fear of the GRE (math portion) and took the test. Not only that, but she also taught me to wear clothes with pockets.
During this time, I met my second mentor Dr. Jean Cate. I had the privilege of working for the University of Oklahoma at the K20 Center. I worked with amazingly intelligent, gifted, and dedicated educators. Dr. Cate modeled what a strong, wise, benevolent, and extremely organized leader should be. While working at the K20 Center for Dr. Cate, I decided to pursue my PhD. She guided my writing, she nurtured my research skills, and she supported my educational expansion. I learned more in my short time working for Dr. Cate than I ever knew was possible.
A year later, I met Ms. Tamie Sanders. She was the first administrator willing to give me the opportunity to serve as an assistant principal and allow me the chance to prove I could fulfill the promise others saw in me. I had to wait three years for Ms. Sanders, and while it was an onerous time waiting, it was for the best. I work indirectly for Ms. Sanders, an amazing, strong, visionary leader who has become the director of secondary schools. Additionally, I work at a fantastic high school and with the best teachers in the world!
While there are many other marvelous women who have influenced my life (I must mention Janise, Lori, and Karie), these six women have made a profound impact on my professional career, and I would like to thank them for the honor of knowing them and learning from them. I would not be who I am without having met them, and I would like to thank them for investing in my life.
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