I took my final in Research Design this morning and my first year as a doctoral student is over! What?! How did that happen?? Intense, thoughtful work with some excellent professors who treated me like the professional I am. While I do feel a little old sometimes, I am by no means the oldest person in the program, and it occured to me this afternoon that I am glad I waited to do this. I bring a different, more mature perspective to the process that really informs my understanding of teaching and learning. I wouldn’t have appreciated or been ready to do this when I was 30. I needed the wisdom of years to first help me find my passion and then move me in the right direction at the right time. I still remember talking to Mike Willis about leaving the classroom to do exactly what I’m doing now. Probably some time in 1997 or so. His advice? Get some more experience, keep teaching for a few more years until it just felt right. So, I did and not only did it feel right, but the right opportunity came along that made it easy. The past four years have been the most exciting, interesting and challenging of my life. I am learning, growing, reading, and, most importantly, becoming.