Wednesday, September 9, 2009

.... and when you get on the floor...... Throw dem Horns!!!

If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build'em up with wornout tools; - Rudyard Kipling





So as I embark on my 2nd year as a Campus Director, I'm haunted by the struggles that I endured my first year. Hitting the student enrollment mark, getting teacher and school buy-in. As we planned our Registration Nights, there is a thought in the back of my head that that keeps repeating itself....
"We have got to get those kids into this program, no ifs, ands, or buts!!"

As my staff and I began planning Registration Nights and Recruitment Strategy, I spilled my soul to my teaching fellows...
my drive and motivation were due to both being about helping a large population of students improve attitudes and belief regarding academic success
-and-
Fear- What would happen if I was unable to hit my goals in this second year. I saw a campus closed in its first year after not hitting enrollment goals... While I was fortunate to be relocated to North Carolina, I doubt fate will have that in store for me

I didn't want to be in a position where I would have to find out the answer to the question that my second source of motivation presented.

My Teaching Fellows didn't really need much motivation although I tried to give them a pep talk, they got down to business. Si, Se Peude!

The went into Classrooms and gave presentations, made phone calls to parents and students. Their determination unrelenting and their goal... to fill our students spot and have 85 students enter Opening Circle on September 21st....

As of 9.9.09 we are 87 completed applications along the way..... and are creating a waiting list

I promised my staff that if we had 85 student attend the first day of program, I would take the staff out to dinner!

We have 1 week and three days before program starts!!!

This year feels different and I don't know why, but I'm excited and I hope to be able to shared with you all more good news as the semester kicks off and program is underway!!!