Embarking on a New Journey

Starting a blog is no small feat. The title, the colors, the purpose all must be thought through, at least for me. Thanks to the brainstorming efforts by a couple of my friends on Twitter (@amandacdykes and @j_allen), I was able to come up with a title and a picture. However, the bigger question was "What is the purpose?"

First, starting a blog is about being a model for my students. I will not ask them to do something that I am not doing. It is a learning curve for me so I can better inform those learning from me. My friend and colleague (@bethstill) has encouraged me and has been a huge help in my getting started.

Second, this blog is a way to reflect on all of the wonderful things I have learned from so many inspiring people. Be it education or life in general, I get to come in contact with people every day who offer me new insight. This blog will allow me the space to reflect on what they have taught me.

Last, this blog is about making new footprints. I love the question posed by Randy Pausch in his book The Last Lecture: "What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance? If we had to vanish tomorrow, what would we want as our legacy?" As teachers, parents, friends, etc... that question is often hard to answer. The footprints we make will be our legacy for others to learn from us.

One anonymous quote that I found says this: "The footprints you leave behind will influence others. There is no person who at some time, somewhere, somehow, does not lead another."

Thanks to everyone who has influenced me; I hope to inspire others in return!