Back to School! - Master's in Educational Administration

Well I am heading into my 5th week of my master's program at Lamar University and I must say it is a very excellent program.  It is well organized, the instructors know their stuff and are quick to respond to any questions you have about any assignment.

I would recommend anyone to look at Lamar University for a master's program.  The courses run for five weeks, then you're off one week and the following week you start on another course.  In eight months, I will have earned a Master's in Educational Administration. The courses are rigorous, make no mistake, but that is what makes them interesting.

As a lifelong learner, I hope to inspire others who might think they are too old to pursue a masters or continue learning, nonsense!  I say, go for it!

My first course at Lamar University is EDLD 5311, focuses on School Leadership. It was a great course for me because my undergraduate degree is in Organizational Communication which focused on leadership. Leadership in education is quite different than that of the corporate world. The skills for good leadership however, remain the same:

1.   Developing Trust
2.   Vision/Mission
3.   Quality Decision-Making
4.   Effective Communication
5.   Conflict/Issues/Mediation Resolutions
6.   Motivation Techniques
7.   Team/Group Processes
8.   Supporting Others
9.   Being Ethical
10. Positive Culture and Climate
11. Initiating Change
12. Fair Evaluations

This information was taken in part from School Leader Internship, 3rd ed., Gary E. Martin, Arnold B. Danzig, William F. Wright, Richard A. Flanary, and Fred Brown.

I'll keep you posted as the next course begins. For now,

Peace Out!! jv

Blanca Estella Rojas Sifuentes

You might wonder who Blanca Estella Rojas Sifuentes is - well she is my sister. My sister was born on July 3, 1953 and died on April 14, 1960. She was buried at Our Lady of Victory Cemetery in Beeville, Texas.

Unfortunately, we don't have any photos of my sister but she lives in my memory and heart.

I wanted to honor her and the only way I felt I could do so was to create a marker for her. My parents were never financially able to do so. I made it a goal of mine to make that dream possible.

Well, I did it and my siblings and my husband played an important role in helping me see it through. I could not have done it without their help. As a family we are all unique and I know had my sister lived she would have been unique as well.

Here is a poem I wrote for my sister:

You came to us on angel's wings
Landing softly in our mother's arms

We fell in love with you
but unbeknownst to us God sent you with a secret
and you kept it very well

Secretly unfolding it and knowing when it
was time

You left on the angel's wings that brought
to this earth

Our faith helped us accept your parting for we know
you are waiting on the other side...patiently

Until we meet again, you will continue to live in our
hearts. You have not been forgotten.

Love you,

Josie