School

Nick & Katie are fortunate to have Mr. Sabatino as a teacher at Tenaya Middle School, and he is sponsoring their continued education while on the boat.  The kids will remain enrolled in school, but will be on Independent Study.  Fortunately, this works because Leslie is, among other things, a credentialed teacher.  She has worked with Mr. Sabatino and the other teachers at Tenaya to develop a curriculum that will keep the kids up to speed with their classmates back in Fresno.  We plan on returning in time for them to resume school in the beginning of the spring semester. 

Leslie will be responsible for teaching them language arts, Spanish, and music.  Steve will teach them in science, math, history and geography.  Their PE program will consist of sailing - really!   

Work

Leslie

Last February, I left a job I had been in for many years, partly because I decided I wanted to work for an awesome place called Valley Teen Ranch.  I took a breather, did a lot of praying, and then approached the CEO of Valley Teen Ranch, Connie Clendenan, with my desire to work for her, my vision for the position, and oh yea, the news that soon I would be gone for quite a while.  Connie agreed that I fit the position that she wanted to create and was willing to work with me.  We are both feeling a little God-guidance in this area.

If you are a fan of Oprah (and if you are not let me recommend her as the cheapest and most effective therapist you will ever find except Max who is waiting in heaven for me and the sisters of my heart) then you will understand the push I have felt to accomplish my dreams, and my drive to seek out challenges as they are gifts from which I can learn, grow, and become.  Pop psychology works well for me.

Steve

I have worked for Mauldin-Dorfmeier Construction, Inc. for over 12 years.  They were none too happy about my leaving my project before it was finished, but they agreed that when I come back, I can resume my job.  They reassigned my current project, and have me working on some outstanding legal work, some warranty work, and a small construction project. 

No, they aren't going to pay me while I'm gone, but I'm fortunate to work for a company that appreciates me enough to let me keep my office despite the inconvenience my absence will make.