Reflections from Julie:
When I started at Metro ECSU on August 1, 1987, I didnât even know what an ECSU was! I came from a district in Wisconsin (No, I am not, nor was I ever a cheese head). I had applied for a position as facilitator for the Metropolitan Principalsâ Academy.
My first day of employment was at the MPA Summer Conference at Breezy Point. Every administrator attending the conference was so welcoming and positive. My family didnât think I really had a job because I kept telling them how much fun I was having! To them, the words "work" and "fun" just didnât go together. Coming from the world of middle school teaching, I knew differently--work and fun were synonymous, most of the time! Â
During my time at Metro ECSU I have had countless, truly wonderful experiences. I feel very honored to have been able to work with and learn from so many different educators. Over the years I directed the Metropolitan Principals Academy, facilitated many collegial groups, planned and facilitated the MPA Summer Conference, facilitated Myers Briggs sessions, served as a MEEP Regional Facilitator, consulted with schools and provided training in numerous areas including professional learning communities, and served as the Executive Director for Metro ECSU. Â Â
I've had the opportunity to work closely with many national education experts--to me, this was awesome. They were doing such incredible work! This will really date me, but I had a beer with Michael Fullen and knew Rick and Becky DuFour very well. Actually, I knew Rick before there was even Becky! Â
The work I have engaged in at Metro ECSU gave me the opportunity to work with my key strengths, which are creative, entrepreneurial, and relationship-oriented. I love to help people learn. Supporting people and connecting them with the right resources, people, or materials that will help them move forward fills my heart and soul.
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I feel blessed to have had these opportunities. Thank you to all of you who have been a part of my journey.