The Ancient Greeks had two words for time: chronos and kairos. Chronos refers to linear, sequential time; it’s the root of chronological. Kairos refers to the right time for something, an opportunity. I like this idea.

If you would have told me a little over a year ago that I would be teaching 7th graders and traveling between two buildings and not coaching debate, I would have scoffed. But I really like middle school and I really like traveling so far. I have learned so much just in the eight weeks we have been in school this year. I’ve been busy and unable to get everything done, and I’ve felt frazzled, but when I get a brief second, I’m really excited about all the things I get to do.

A year ago this week I started working at Roseville. Moving midyear was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. I think it may have been my moment of kairos – the right time. At this point, I’m just looking around and feeling like I got lucky, and hoping it still works out. Since I’m at the bottom of the food chain, I am the first to be bumped or cut from my position. That’s really scary at this point, when I feel like I’m actually becoming a part of the community rather than a “new guy.” I’m going to try to avoid those negative thoughts for now as best I can and enjoy what I can.