Our family has shed a lot of tears this year.
In March, the beautiful, loving matriarch of our family, my mother-in-law, transitioned into the fullness of her heavenly inheritance. She loved everyone, and went out of her way to pray for them, feed them, or encourage them. She really was one of most amazing people I have ever had the privilege of knowing.
Her death has made this one of the hardest years of our lives.
In the midst of our mourning, I maintained an incredibly demanding travel/speaking schedule.
On top of that, I also worked really hard to prepare for and PASS my written and oral comprehensive exams, AND my dissertation proposal and dissertation proposal defense. So I am now officially a PhD Candidate!
If you would have told me years ago- when I had a 0.6. G.P.A., or when I was ditching 60 to 90 days of school a year from 4th to 9th grade, or after I dropped out of high school- that I would be a PhD candidate one day, I would have looked you like you were crazy.
Growing up, I hated school, I was a terrible student, and I didn't even know what college was, let alone a PhD!
I am Living Proof
I am living proof that even bad students can turn thing around and get good grades; that even your most underperforming students have so much potential. They can do more, be more, and have more than they can imagine right now. Why?
Because you are in their lives.
You can help struggling students start over.
You can enter into a student's life and help him or her get good grades.
That's a part of what Christmas is about- new beginnings.
How Did I Make it This Far?
Make no mistake about it: I made it here because of very hard work, AND because of loving educators like you.
Yes, loving people like you entered into my life when I needed it most.
- They helped me overcome so many obstacles.
- They helped me become the man I am today.
- They laid a foundation upon which I have built the wonderful life that I have today.
I share that to simply express to you my most heartfelt, "THANK YOU!"
- Thank you for the work that you do to help children.
- Thank you for giving your life to something bigger than your own happiness.
- Thank you all for your continued love and support of me.
Many kids will have a better life because they had YOU as their teacher.
So, all that to say, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and the most amazing New Year!
With genuine love and gratitude, I remain.
Warmly,
Manny
P.S. You can get 40% off ALL my products through Monday. Click the link below and use promo code CHRISTMAS.