Kristin and Joe Montana

Today is the day. Kristin's last day of high school teaching. Forever? For awhile? Who knows? But she's moving on to another game, same team; just a different role.

For those who don't know, Kristin has resigned her faculty position at Elkhart Memorial High School and has accepted a new position on the Creative Arts team at Granger Community Church.

This wraps up eight years of teaching for Kristin; the last four have been at Elkhart Memorial. Tracking backwards from there it was Lindale High School, TX; New Summerfield Middle School, TX; and Highland High School, IN. She did her student teaching with Kay Kelly at Anderson High School.

Of course I'm very biased. Most of the time I am Kristin's biggest fan, greatest proponent and champion of her colors. But, i hate to admit it, sometimes I'm also her nastiest critic and loudest heckler. Regardless, I'm proud to say that from my point of view; Kristin has made profound, lasting, positive changes in the lives of the students and teachers she's come in contact with.

I remember her first year at Highland. It was pretty rough emotionally for her. Adjusting to the new role, learning the politics, and dealing with the ugly things that go on in the teachers lounge... Every teacher faces those things, sure. But Kristin's biggest challenge was what it has always been: How to keep her heart from breaking for her hurting, lost, abandoned, broken, and abused students. It was literally a culture shock for her that first year.

You have to understand that Kristin has always been an incredibly motivated learner--it's one of her most admirable strengths. She got straight A's all through high school, graduated at the top of her class and finished a year early. At AU she scored perfect A's in every class except one... her first ever "B" came because she didn't do well on a final exam in a Phys Ed class because the night before she was out all night laying under the stars on the football fields with her stupid boyfriend. What a jerk. : ) HA!

Even still, she graduated summa cum laude with honors in two different departments (the only person in her class to do so), and she was even asked to speak at graduation.

My point is, she's a hard worker, she's very smart, and she has always loved school--she loves to learn. So, in her first year of teaching, it was hard for her to understand or relate to students that weren't motivated, eager, or excited about school. She quickly learned that for some of her students, education wasn't a luxury they could afford to put at the top of their worlds.

I can't remember the names or faces, but Kristin started coming home from school that first year in tears; telling me stories about how John is incredibly funny, witty and smart. He is hands down the best improv actor in her class--Robin Williams incarnate! But his mom is a prostitute and drug addict, and he can't focus because he's worried if she's going to overdose again.

And then there's Derell. Possibly the fastest sprinter in the state. College scouts are waiting with scholarship offers, but he wasn't in class today because he's been expelled again for possession. Kristin learns that his dad is a dealer, his uncle is a dealer, his older brother is a dealer, and he just can't see life beyond all the instant money if he just keeps up the family business.

There have been countless stories over the last eight years--dozens of teenage pregnancies, some kids rendered homeless, abused, raped, abandoned, you name it. Kristin's heart breaks for them every year. She reaches out to them, ministers God's love however she can, because she sees beyond the school desk and seeks to understand exactly why the troubled student--the one with the endangered soul--just can't seem to stay focused on The Great Gatsby, or the predicate verbs in his workbook.

I remember that first year, she told me once... "They all seem so callused, so cold and bitter toward the kids." She said, "I just can't understand why anyone would choose teaching as a profession if they actually hate it that much!" Of course, she was talking about some of her fellow teachers in her department or in the teachers lounge. She detested their attitudes. To her it was injustice for an adult to talk about or treat a student with such disrespect and disdain. Because with Kristin... it's all about people. Loving and helping other people.

This hasn't changed one bit over the last eight years. In fact, her passion for hurting people has only grown stronger. That's why I believe this new career, this new post at GCC is divinely orchestrated. I'm not a mystic, but i do believe God has called Kristin to this appointment. We both have seen evidence of God's hand on the work that this ministry is doing. And we both feel very blessed just to be a part of that great work.

On a side note: this Baker family has decided to hang up the nomadic boots for awhile, and plant ourselves here in Michiana. For better or for worse--but we believe for better.

Leaving the direct contact with students is a hard thing for Kristin, she tears up just thinking about not being a teacher anymore... but she knows in her heart that she's going to love the work God has for her at GCC.

So, if you get a chance, hop over to Kristin's blog or shoot her an email and tell how proud you are of her. It's time to stand up and cheer. Like when the game is well in hand late in the fourth quarter, and Joe Montana trots off the field and waves to the crowd as the backup comes in to finish the game. As for her role as a teacher, Kristin played her part and did her job well. She changed the lives of the people she touched, she shared the love of Jesus and she made a pretty good dent in this world.

Now she's going to rest for a month or so, and then get back in the game. This time she'll be playing a different role. But it's a role she was born to play.

Might Be a Montage

Ooooh. My first post. I've never posted a blog before. I'm a little nervous. Not sure what to write. There's one side of me that wants to rant and rave and fly around in all caps like a ticked off 300 pound male version of Avril Lavigne.

I'm not 300 pounds though. I've been losing a little weight. I do paint my nails black on occasion though.

Then there's another side of me that is really excited about just blogging about fun stuff. Reporting about vacations, family time, life lessons and Notre Dame football. Aaaah, that sounds fuzzy. Like hot coco, marshmallows and dandelions. Doesn't it? I mean, really... I know I'm a very lucky guy to have my wife Kristin, who is so faithful, loving and supportive--committed to this family and committed to loving me through all the gale force winds. She said once that she married me because the safest place in a storm is in it's eye. hmmm. not sure if that's a complement. And I have a great little daughter--she's got me wrapped. And i could just blog everyday about my two girls and our adventures together.

Then there's another quadrant that wants to keep it all pro. Seven Habits, 21 Irrefutable laws, One Minute everything, Rich Dad Poor everyone, the Creative Cow and all the barn yard animals. Really geek out and let fly about my business, client management, advertising and marketing trends, the entertainment industry, and all the latest developments in the uber-cool world of digital media. I could easily get lost writing in twists and tangles about the wired world of my profession. I can't help it... I'm passionate about it! I was made to do this stuff!

And of course I could dig deeper and really unpack some stuff about my faith, my questions, my answers (usually wrong, but still answers). My journey trying to follow Christ. Trying to make a difference and trying to do the next right thing. It could spin in a positive direction--the incredible awe of God I have experienced on the proverbial mountain tops, the lives I've seen changed for good, the people I have known who've made a difference. The hand of God I've felt from time to time. The Grace I rely on. Wow. I think I could do that.

Maybe I will. Maybe I'll just get around to all that somehow.

Oh, one thing though. I might accidentally or intentionally forget my audience from time to time. I might just forget about your feelings, and your perception. I might get inconsiderate or even offensive. I hope I don't hurt you. I hope I help. And I hope I learn and discover new things from all this.

If nothing else, maybe it will be a montage.