The month of August often brings
with it great anxiety. Children are anxious to savor the last days of summer
vacation and simultaneously anxious about starting a new year of school.
Parents and families start the transition back to routines that summer allows us
to shed with glee and relief…where did the June and July go?
For me, August 2012 has been a
time of great transition. My husband and I spent the first two weeks helping
our daughters, Laura and Virginia, move into their apartments. Each of them
have planned for this move for some time, gathering furniture and accessories
to make their new spaces not just a place to live, but a home. They are both
living with new roommates – anyone who has ever had a roommate can certainly
appreciate the anxiety that can come with that! And Richard and I are
empty-nesters, a new phase in our marriage.
August 2012 also signifies the
end of the planning stage of Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy. Maintenance
and operations specialists, furniture movers, and WYWLA faculty and staff devoted
countless hours to creating a learning environment suited to our school’s purpose to education young women to
become 21st century leaders and learners. Throughout the last weeks of July I was anxious about whether
it would all come together in time; thankfully, none of my worst fears were realized and most of my hopes
and dreams have come true.
The Olympic salute, “Let the
games begin!” certainly applied on August 13, when our community spirit tunnel
announced the arrival and entrance of our first classes of students. Even with
all of the fanfare, I had to pinch myself to confirm that it was all very
real!
My transition from visionary and
planner of an all girls leadership academy to leader of Wake Young Women’s
Leadership Academy has begun. I am
working with an outstanding faculty and staff who are creative and dedicated;
watching them work with our students is inspirational, so I am spending much of
my day visiting classrooms. This allows “my girls” to get to know me as well.
My presence sends the message that I care about their learning and want them
each to use their time wisely.
This week transitions continue
for all of us as the Governor Morehead Campus students and families return.
They, too, are beginning a great time of transition. We will all learn new routines as we share the beautiful GMS
campus and its facilities. I am confident that each school community will
reflect on the decision to unite us and wonder what we may have been so anxious
about in the first place.
The transitions of August will
soon become the routines of the fall. My hope is that as this occurs in my
daughters’ apartments, my household, and my new school campus we will make the
shift from just an apartment, house, and a campus to a home where we can
develop significant, enduring relationships as we live, learn, and lead
together.
