The Big Move

"At least it wasn't 100 degrees outside."

I had to remind myself of this fact as I made the four trips between my new dorm room and my spot on the first floor of the parking garage. I haven't lived in a dorm since my freshman year of college, just over three years ago. Again, I find myself on the fourth floor but at least this building has an elevator.

In a lot of ways, this experience overlaps with my first summer as a Breakthrough teacher and as a freshman at my college orientation. I feel more comfortable here at Institute. I cannot always pinpoint if that is because of the confidence I developed at UT or because everyone here seems so incredibly welcoming and friendly. The staff members are so intent on making you feel welcome and part of their family.

The use of my nickname based on my middle name on official documents certainly puts me at ease. I do not have to spend so much time informing everyone that although my first name is Anthony, I actually prefer to be referred to as Kris. These details show me that a lot of planning and effort went into this event. The staff here has clearly made every effort to be as open and welcoming as possible. Information is readily available in so many places. I admire the efficiency of this program immensely.

I am immensely excited for the rest of the summer. We are spending these first few days learning about the journey we are all about to embark on together. The next few weeks will be challenging for sure, but there is something about the atmosphere here that makes me feel that everything will be okay. There are people all around me who will be completing similar work as myself. We all have similar goals and incredible amounts of support. I am quite ready to begin my summer school teaching.

This calm before the storm has left me with quite a bit of reflection time. A list of individuals that were essential to my success up to this point. I want to take some time and space to list out as many as possible. There is no way to capture every person and every thing they have ever done for me, but it never hurts to start somewhere. This list may not be complete by the end of today, the end of this week, or even by the end of Institute, but know that I am working on it and it will be created.

Writing about my journey is a new experience for me. I am not certain of the direction my reflections will take. I know they will be important parts of my expressions of triumph and frustration. They will keep others informed of my experiences. The rest is still in development. This is certainly just one of the things I am looking forward to this summer.