Cool

Where did I learn to keep my cool?

My blood runs hot - I can thank my Italian Nonni for raising me in that way.

My voice is strong - I can thank my parents for setting the expectation that I use my voice for good.

My passion lives deep - I can thank my grandparents, my parents, my brother for sharing their passions with me.

So where did I learn to keep my cool?

From the soccer field, where losing your cool resulted in fouls, poor choices, and possible penalties.

From staff meetings, where teachers lost their cool and butted heads, all for the good of the children, and the principal moderated and facilitated.

From class, where students say things they don't mean, and you know reacting will just make the problem worse, so you stay on your path.

Learning to keep my cool didn't happen overnight.

I've reacted in the classroom, when students say mean things.

I've reacted at work, when I've gotten frustrated with a situation.

I've reacted on the soccer field, when competition became fierce.

Time, maturity, experience, personality . . . they've all played a role.

But at this stage in my life, at this stage in my career, in that moment today, I was happy that I learned to keep my cool.