A Dream Come True

I started teaching at Chapman two week ago and absolutely love it. I was first asked to teach Personal Finance through the Business school and later was notified about a Non-profit/Non-governmental Policies and Practices course in the Education department.

It might seem over dramatic to say, but it's truly a dream come true. After years of studying, applying to schools, networking and strategizing it's finally happened. I remember in my Junior year during my undergrad when I announced to my family I was going to be a college professor someday. Peter responded with something along the lines that being a college professor is difficult (getting the sense that he felt I wasn't capable of doing it). Although Peter doesn't remember saying it, it really fueled me through all the long nights, papers, exams and hours of classes.

After my first personal finance lecture I got this email from a student:

Dear Professor Rogers,

I just wanted to say thank you for an awesome class today. I am more than looking forward to the rest of the semester! I cannot tell you how much of a breath of fresh air your teaching style is in comparison to other professors. I am thoroughly interested in personal finance and I KNOW that this class is going to push me in the right direction with my new financial responsibilities.

Sincerely,
Lauren F

She probably has no idea how much it means to me, but I am having this email framed. I will always keep it hanging in my office to remind me why I wanted to teach and the impact I want to have on the world.

Recent Readings

I have been reading a lot about k-12 educational reform. Something that has caught my interest is the voucher programs that allow parents to use public funds to send their children to the school of their choice (public or private).

I find this topic fascinating since all that I have really heard on the surface is that it doesn't improve academic performance and financially hurts schools. Well, that all crap. Looking at all the empirical research done 16 out of 17 geographic regions participating are having a positive affects on academic performance. The one region that is having no visible affects is Washington D.C.- which is the only program that is designed to not include the component of competition between schools.

As parents and tax payers it is worth reading more- check out www.edchoice.org. (Full disclosure- this is a site funding by the Friedman Foundation).

Friends

I am SO lucky to have amazing friends. They are all so kind, so caring, so sweet, so thoughtful, so giving, and so supportive.

Just a few people on my mind...

Bekka came to my Aunt's funeral service in the middle of a work day. She calls and cheers me up and helps me be me. She baked the cupcakes for Savannah's birthday party and helped set-up and clean up. She is always there for big events- baby showers, birthdays, book signings- and is the first one there and the last to leave.

Desiree came over and watched Savannah today when my meeting was moved up an hour. She waited until my new sitter came and explained everything to her. She comes to our family events and even gives me legal advice when I have a questions for work/personal stuff.

Emily came over to help me pack coolers with treats for the cars heading to my Aunt's funeral- all at a moments notice. She is always there and will send me happy, uplifting texts randomly. She is one of those people that are never down and always cheers everyone up. She has been to every major event in my life- always helping. She's always been the motherly friend in my life.

Erica is there when ever I need her. She inspires me to meet my potential and try even harder. She comes to help for parties and always helps me out in bind (like babysitting while I am out of town on business). She has remembered my birthday since I was 13 and is just always there.

Jill gave me a friendship bracelet today that she made me for my birthday. She is such a happy person and when I am around her she simply makes me feel good.

Kristine and Robin put on a Valentine's Day party today for the little kids. They had a bounce house, crafts, valentines and fun treats for the kids. It was obvious they put lots of time and effort to make a special event for all the kids and moms. Savannah had a wonderful time and I am so glad we were invited.

Leslie works with me at CCCS-OC and helps with EVERYTHING. She's fun and full of life. She reminds me to be happy and live life to the fullest. After Brian's accident I got behind making the decorations for Savvy's b-day party and she came over to help me at the last minute.

Lisa (my cousin) has become an even greater friend over the past couple of months. She helps me with Savannah and is just a a great sounding board for problems. She always has incredible ideas for saving money and takes beautiful pictures for our family.

Natalie works with me at CCCS-OC but helps me with last minute details for reports, helps me work through ideas and is the best source to vent work issues. She inspires me to be a better mom.

My life is crazy with all my commitments- and everyone knows it. When people say, "I don't know how you do it"- The real answer is that I don't do it all and usually I am just barely hanging in there. It's all my incredible friends and family that love and support me that really makes everything happen. I wish that I could do for them as much as they do for me.

My Auntie

Yesterday I was privileged to be with my cousins, my Uncle and my mom when my Aunt took her last breaths. She was there when I took my first breath and I was there when she took her last. It was the most beautiful and spiritual moment of my life.

The thing that makes me most sad is thinking of how much my mom will miss her.

My cousin Mark made a beautiful video of her life. It is on her ALS bloghttp://myalsjourney.blogspot.com/.

I will miss her, but am so glad she is no longer in pain. Watching her go through this trial has strengthened my testimony and changed my life. I have written my personal feelings/thoughts/experience in my journal so I can always look back on yesterday and remember the strong feeling of the spirit as she left this earth.

I love you Auntie.