I can't really think of a time in my life since the age of 15 that I didn't have some sort of job.
When you graduate from high school and are doing your best to find a suitable plan/career path, you tend to lean towards things you are good at. At the time, I was a fairly decent journalist. Working in that industry made sense to me. I was the Sports Editor of the BGHS Purple Gem, and at WKU, I worked for the College Heights Herald as an Account Representative. The summer of my junior year, I got a coveted internship at the Courier Journal. Advertising felt like a field that I could flourish in and did. After college graduation, Matt and I got married and moved to Valdosta where I started working as a sales representative for the Valdosta Times. Eight short months later, we decided we were too far from home and made the move back to Bowling Green. Obviously, there were a lot of other factors that contributed to that decision, but I won't go into great depth on that. I took a job at the Country Peddler for a little while before joining the BGISD school system as an instructional assistant. I loved that job! Working with teenagers everyday and being in a school environment felt like the right fit for me. After I got pregnant with Karson, staying home with our kids became a priority to us. We'd sacrifice and save to make it work. I taught part time at Greenwood Park's Early Education Preschool when the kids were little. Needless to say, taking a 10-year pause to raise kids has a profound impact on you especially in the career-realm.
SKyPAC opened and took a chance on me in the ticket office in May 2012. After being a SAHM and working in a Christian-school bubble, it felt like I'd been thrown to the wolves. After my first night in the ticket office, I went home and balled my eyes out. What in the world had I gotten myself in to? I wasn't at SKyPAC long before I met one of my best friends - Artist Andee Rudloff. She brought energy and a positive outlook to the organization and eventually brought me into the fold of arts education at SKyPAC. I loved everything about my job but primarily making an impact on children. At the end of the day, people are what matters the most. I made lots of wonderful memories there and will forever cherish those moments and friendships made.
Little did I know October 2020 was going to deliver one of the most challenging blows! It was a Friday afternoon, and I received a call from the President of our board to meet that afternoon. My gut told me today is not going to end well. The pandemic financially hurt lots of industry, and the performing arts and entertainment venues were at the top of that list. All my co-workers assured me that I was too valuable to SKyPAC and that my fears were unfounded. I worked hard the last eight years and took a lot of pride in my job -wearing many hats and always jumping in to learn new roles and assist when needed. I tried to calm my nerves, but I received the blow I was expecting. They laid me off with no definitive plan to bring me back on. It hurt, and I did my best to handle it professionally. The sad part about the scenario was that we were schedule to go to Florida on vacation the very next day. Everything felt like a blur. My co-workers were shocked. No one knew what to say.
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| I didn't feel like taking many pictures last Fall Break considering the circumstances. This is one of my favorite ones though. Karson, Matt and I went to Jackacudas and had some of the best sushi. Something about that night felt peaceful, like everything will be okay. |
Here we are almost a year later! There were a few bumps in the job road, but I finally found a new work home at Skyctc. I've been with the Business Division since February 1 - almost eight months. It's been a welcomed transition, one that I have truly enjoyed. I have a wonderful supervisor and team of faculty members that I work with. The benefits, PTO, and flexibility are the absolute best. It's the perfect fit for our lives right now. AND, I still get to work with students and make a positive impact on them.
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| Me and my Skyctc peeps - the finest group ever and I'm fortunate to be part of this successful team of women. |
After typing ALL of that (sorry for the dissertation), it's not the primary purpose of my post. The purpose of this post is about my spectacular husband MATT!!! Pastor Matt, Coach Matt, Principal Matt, y'all know who I'm talking about.
About mid-June, the lead principal at South Warren Middle School took a new position at Franklin Simpson High School. After 10 years in education, Matt felt like it was the right time to spread his wings and try something new. He's been at SWHS in a few roles which began with student teaching there. He went on to become a teacher, coach, dean of students and is currently an assistant principal. Matt applied for the position last summer. However, with the timing of the old principal leaving and trying to open the school, the decision was made to make the current assistant principal the interim until after the first quarter, which ends after fall break. This week was the WEEK. I couldn't help but have my own personal pre-Fall Break flashbacks resurface. I knew Matt wanted this position. I wanted it for him! He didn't just need this, I felt like I needed this too especially two weeks before Fall Break 2021. No dark clouds this time!!!
The announcement was made yesterday at South's Auditorium.
Presenting South Warren Middle School's NEW Principal....
Mr. Matthew Deaton!!! We're so proud of him!!!!
