Two weeks ago I attended the Pathways to Hope Conference, a community-wide conference sponsored by over 10 faith based organizations and communitywide mental health organizations and representatives from law enforcement agencies in San Antonio. I found the collaboration with faith leaders in the community, law enforcement and mental health providers inspiring and comforting.  I was particularly moved by a pastor of a large mega congregation who courageously spoke about his own … [Read more...]

At the middle school where I was principal, we enrolled a dozen non-English speaking refugee children during one school year in the early ‘80s. Most of them were from Vietnam. When the new students stopped by to meet me on the first day, one girl stood out. Phuong (not her real name) came close to my desk and smiled at me rather than staring at the floor, as the others did. One day just as the first bell rang, one of the counselors brought Phuong to my office. She was inconsolable. Something … [Read more...]

Because of my own issues navigating my tough tween-age years, I focused my college studies on elementary education and early secondary education and my doctoral dissertation on the development of schools for pre-adolescent children. I was privileged to lead teams of caring and brilliant teachers, counselors and social workers throughout my career. Memories of some of those children and educators are seared in my memory forever. This one in particular. A counselor at the middle school where I … [Read more...]

The air that angels breathe   Today is National Aviation Day - a day to salute the magic of flight and, for me, a day to honor my late husband's lifelong dream to be an air force pilot. My first date with Larry was a visit to Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, where we both were students at Texas Tech. "I never get tired of watching the same landing patterns over and over," he told me. "I'm going to officer training school after I graduate and to pilot training after that." Just before we … [Read more...]