As 2021 began, I found myself in the midst of a global pandemic and the most unique school year I have experienced to date. We were in the middle of a full COVID-19 academic year; a large percentage of our campus' students remained home as virtual learning was in full effect. Yes, the world was different; education was different, but through any and all challenges both students and staff proved to be resilient. Though the year began as anything but normal, as time passed a sense of normal began to return.
My personal schedule in a given year is dictated by the Frisco ISD academic calendar, extracurricular schedules, and the church calendar of my home church, Parkside Baptist Church in Denison, Texas. This year was no different though the calendars were not quite as filled as in a typical year. I began the year in a self-imposed "Reedy Bubble" as I took a hiatus from in-person church activities and extracurricular activities outside of Frisco. Each Tuesday and Friday night, I would find my way to my self-assigned seat, away from others, in the top corner of the Reedy High School gym or the end of the fence line at the Reedy High School field as I supported the Reedy basketball and soccer teams.
Perhaps the most unexpected, unpredictable event of the year took place in February as we were granted a two week "winter vacation" courtesy of a historic winter storm. There was snow though it was near zero and sub-zero temperatures that headlined the event contributing to significant power outages and loss of water for many throughout the state. I was fortunate and suffered no power loss at home though I did spend several days without running water. I was blessed by the services of a plumber who came out in much less than desirable weather and repaired a leaking faucet so the water could be turned back on. This is one memory from 2021 I hope not to repeat.
During spring break, I made a trip to Vicksburg, Mississippi. I toured the Vicksburg National Military Park which commemorates the Siege of Vicksburg during the Civil War. I spent a couple of days relaxing and exploring historic downtown Vicksburg. During my time in Vicksburg, I made a two hour drive north and had the opportunity to watch a former Maus/Pearson/Reedy student play college soccer. The soccer game was the priority of the trip; Vicksburg was conveniently located. COVID-19 had completely rearranged seasons and schedules and when the opportunity to go watch this student play arose, I could not pass it up. People often joke about how many games I show up to in Frisco and the surrounding areas. Well, for spring break, I showed up to a game two states away!
As winter gave way to spring (spring break always takes place before the seasons change), I continued to follow the journey of the Reedy Girls Soccer team as they earned their first playoff berth and recorded their first playoff win(s) against Lucas Lovejoy and Woodrow Wilson on the way to completing the most successful season in program history.
The first Sunday in May my hiatus from in-person church activities concluded. Coincidentally, that Sunday morning we began a new schedule as we continue to shift to align ourselves to most effectively minister to the needs of the congregation and community. I look forward to what God has in store for my Parkside family in 2022!
As the 2020-2021 school year came to an end, I celebrated 10 years of service with Frisco ISD. I have served on two campuses in two centralized programs. I began my career in education at Maus Middle School in the Functional Academics (FA) program; I currently serve students and staff at Pearson Middle School in the Social and Interpersonal Learning (SAIL) program. Over the last ten years, students from Maus and Pearson and the programs I have been associated with have gone on to attend high school at Heritage, Independence, Memorial, Reedy, Liberty, and Lebanon Trail in Frisco ISD. I consider it a great privilege to be granted the opportunity to positively impact the lives of students on a daily basis. With the ending of each school year, change is inevitable. There is always some turnover of staff and this year was no different though perhaps harder than most. I had to say goodbye to some wonderful coworkers who were some of my biggest supporters. I wrote about them in my end of the school year post: https://www.callmekep.com/post/what-a-school-year
In June, I made a trip to Oklahoma City to watch the NCAA Women's College World Series Championship between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Florida State University Seminoles. The starting centerfielder for the Sooners, Jayda Coleman, is a fellow alum of The Colony High School. I had several opportunities to watch Jayda play during her high school career at The Colony. It was exciting to sit in the centerfield seats behind her for the deciding game and watch her team win the national championship!
I was happy to return to serve as a volunteer leader at Texas Super Summer after the 2020 sessions were cancelled. I served as a Team Leader in Green School which is students who will be entering their senior year in the upcoming school year. I was a co-leader for an all boys small group with students from all over the state. It was great to reconnect with my Super Summer family on the campus of Dallas Baptist University!
I ended June and began July in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado. My travels took me as far north as Vail, Colorado and as far south as Santa Fe, New Mexico. My primary hub for my mountain adventures was Twin Lakes, Colorado at the base of Mt Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado. I spent time hiking and kayaking in Twin Lakes. I rode a train, mountain biked, and played disc golf in nearby Leadville. I split a day between Vail, Frisco, and Breckenridge taking in the sights. I spent a day hiking and picture taking at Maroon Bells south of Aspen. My adventures began early most days and were done by early afternoon. After a large mid-afternoon lunch I would return to Twin Lakes and retreat to my room to recover and rest ahead of the next day's adventure. After my time at Twin Lakes ended, I relocated to the Taos, New Mexico area. Along the way, I explored parts of western Colorado I had yet to see. I spent an evening in Montrose, Colorado and went hiking at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. I spent an afternoon in Ouray, Colorado hiking and exploring multiple waterfalls in the area. Once in New Mexico, I explored the Rio Grande Gorge on multiple hikes. I spent time hiking at Williams Lake in the shadows of Wheeler Peak, the highest peak in New Mexico. I also spent time at Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, and Red River and I made a day trip to Santa Fe. The entire trip was a much needed time of rest and recreation as I explored and enjoyed God's creation.
My eleventh year in education began with most of our students returning to campus, some for the first time since spring break of 2020. It is nice to have a building full of students again! Of course, a new school year means new coworkers - two in my program, six total in my department. Each day is full of surprises and the opportunities to positively impact the lives of students remain plentiful! This school year I have been scheduled to provide support in a Skills for Living class one period each day. It has been fascinating thus far exploring personality types and self concept, stress and coping skills, as well as friendship and families. The content covered is so critical and relevant for middle school students as they figure out and understand who they are and how to navigate the world around them.
From their first game in the middle of August until their last game in the middle of November, the fall semester was highlighted by the best season in Reedy Volleyball history. A 17-1 district record earned the girls a district championship which paved the way for a deep playoff run with wins over my alma mater The Colony, Lancaster, and McKinney North before a memorable five set win over Highland Park. The season came to an end in the Regional Championship game against perennial power and state champion Lucas Lovejoy. It has been fun watching some of these girls play for the last six years. They all have bright futures ahead of them!
As the year came to an end, I made the decision to step away from Sunday School leadership after a dozen plus years volunteering on Sunday mornings in the Parkside Student Ministry. God is shifting my focus to other areas and at this time I simply need to focus on myself for a change. I need some time for rest to allow for personal revival so that I may continue to love God with all that I am and love my neighbors most effectively.
A positive COVID-19 test cancelled Christmas with family and put an end to my adventures for the year. I was fortunate that my symptoms remained mild and after a few days I was well down the road to recovery.
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die." In 2021, the time to die came for several people whose presence God has blessed me with over the years. Several of my childhood spiritual heroes and pillars of First Baptist Church in Jasper, Texas passed away this year. Schoolmates from both Jasper and Denison also passed away. And, one of my former pastors from Parkside in Denison passed away. Cherish each moment with your family and friends for you never know when the time will come!
Things to do in 2022: Love God and Love Neighbors
Take Care of Myself
Show Up for My Students
Reconnect with Old Friends
Visit My Friend Chuck in Lima, Peru
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