The update no one asked for

As I sit down to write this column, I'm struck by the whirlwind of changes that have swept through my life over the past year. What began as a simple decision to bring home a tiny, 10-pound puppy has evolved into a full-blown adventure with Hudson, now a 75-pound bundle of unbridled energy who seems blissfully unaware of his own size.

As I mentioned before I left in August, my professional journey has taken an exciting turn. After years as the editor of the Tribune-Phonograph, I've transitioned into the world of education. Now, I'm a high school English/Language Arts teacher at Spencer High School, navigating the challenges of my first year in the classroom. The first months were very difficult as I was someone with no teaching experience, jumping into a classroom with students who had expectations of being taught by a normal teacher.

My first day, I stood in front of a class of 15 sophomores and asked them, “Is a hotdog a sandwich?” I was trying to break the ice and get them talking. They stared back at me thinking, “What the heck is this guy talking about?” I had been taught in my teaching license program to wait them out and make sure they answer. I sat there waiting for an answer for about three painstaking minutes. I caved and apologized to them for the awkward start and said, “I think you can tell that I’m new to the teaching profession.” Over the course of the next seven months, I realized that even when you make mistakes such as that one and as long as you’re upfront about the mistakes, the students usually give you grace and are happy to see the “human” side of their teachers.

Now, the school year is drawing to a close, and the familiar rhythm of graduation and new beginnings is in full swing. It's a time of excitement, both for the students preparing to move forward and for us teachers witnessing their growth. Pursuing my teaching license while simultaneously teaching has been nothing short of a high-wire act.

Along with all the professional changes, we have also had some personal changes. Perhaps the most transformative moment of my nine months since leaving the paper came with the arrival of Kendall, our now one-month old baby - born on my wife's birthday, no less. Talk about perfect timing! Our lives have been a beautiful chaos since her arrival, a delightful mix of sleepless nights, endless love, and unexpected moments of joy.

Juggling a new baby, a first-year teaching position, and continuing my education has been challenging. Some days feel like a carefully choreographed dance, other days more like a controlled chaos.

Also, to Mary Klimpke, here’s your update! I hope you’re doing well!

BE OUR

GUEST

BY

NEAL HOGDEN FORMER TRIBUNE PHONOGRAPH EDITOR