Sabbatical


UntitiledThis is probably long overdue, but I’ll feel much better getting it out in the open so it’s “official.” I’ve bitten off quite a bit this school year, including a new job, starting a doctoral program, and teaching a college course. Add into that the modestly successful podcast I work on with Melinda Miller, a soon-to-be 4-year-old and a daughter who just turned one and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

So something has to give.

After much reflection, for me it’s going to be the Universe. I’m not saying I will never pick up here again or post on occasion when I have something to write about - I’m sure I will - but finding time to craft any sort of meaningful, high-quality posts has proven to be exceedingly difficult given the papers I’m writing for grad school and the capstone class I’m teaching for teachers-to-be.

My prioritized list of commitments looks something like this:

  1. Being a good husband and father by making time for my family FIRST.
  2. Earning money to support my family by performing well at my day job.
  3. Passing my grad school classes.
  4. Teaching my undergrad class.
  5. Continuing to build the audience around our Practical Principals podcast.

Were it not for this blog, I would likely have missed out on the chance to meet (virtually, anyway…) some incredible people with whom I continue to interact via other means. So if you’re looking for me online these days, try here:

  • Twitter - This has become my go-to place for (mostly) intelligent, but always fun interaction with colleagues, friends, and like-minded people I’ve never even met.
  • Special Sauce - To satiate my blogging desire, and as a repository for stuff that’s too big to Tweet, I’m re-discovering the joys of tumblelogging. Go ahead and subscribe - I won’t spam your reader with my “del.icio.us links of the day.” Only good stuff. I promise.
  • Practical Principals Podcast - Keep an ear (or at least your podcatcher) tuned. Melinda and I haven’t gone away!
  • LeaderTalk - I will most certainly be continuing to post on the 12th of every month as an invited contributor to the Web’s best collaborative blog for educational leaders.

    • If we’re friendly, you can also find me at:

    I just felt the need to make it official because I have felt this “weight” hanging over me; this feeling that I’m “slacking” by not keeping the Universe up-to-date.

    Remember - this isn’t “good-bye,” it’s “see ya ’round.” I’m officially going on a blogging sabbatical.

    [Image credit: “Untitled” by burnblue]

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    March 26th, 2008
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    Comment Number:
    1
    Written by:
    Mathew
    Posted on:
    March 26, 2008 at 4:23 pm

    It’s hard to fit everything in. I thank you for your contributions to my thinking about presentations and classroom observations.

    Comment Number:
    2
    Written by:
    Rick
    Posted on:
    March 26, 2008 at 5:14 pm

    You’ve got your priorities in the right spot. Especially #1. See you on Twitter, GTalk, and wherever else we both happen to be.

    Comment Number:
    3
    Written by:
    Geir
    Posted on:
    March 29, 2008 at 5:20 pm

    Well, sad but somehow expected. I’m happy you say see ya and not the more drastic version.
    I worried about this when you started focusing on the collaborative blog, because to me your personal blog is so much more relevant than the other, which I don’t even remember the name of.
    But I understand the priorities, though I regret them. Hope to see you back and kicking here soon.

    Comment Number:
    4
    Written by:
    ken
    Posted on:
    April 8, 2008 at 10:34 am

    How bout a blog about your #1 priority?

    As a parent of 4 children, all under the age of three, I have learned in a short, spastic amount of time, that what I do to tend to #2 is far less thought-provoking than anything I experience by being an involved parent.

    Here’s hoping you read this comment, seeing as you’re giving this space up for some time.

    Comment Number:
    5
    Written by:
    Scott Elias
    Posted on:
    April 8, 2008 at 11:46 am

    Thanks for the comments and kind words. As an FYI, I’m taking a break - not abandoning this space. I still read the comments and as the mood strikes me will continue to post, just not on a frequent or regular basis.