I am the first to acknowledge that change is good, and there has been plenty of it for me in the last several months.

My family and I moved from a rural country home with horses and a large yard to a suburb with neighbors close by and a yard needing only a push mower and an hour to keep looking good. While there are aspects of country living we miss, they do not compare to the variety and depth of opportunity afforded here in Madison.

We have taken full advantage of the Farmer's Market, the Children's Museum and many beautiful parks in and around the city. We are especially grateful for the wonderful diversity in the people and activities in which we are immersed here. There is a climate of welcoming and acceptance here that is exceptional for a city this size and has made the transition easier.

The magnitude of professional changes is at least equal to those personal experiences. Before coming to Madison, I was the principal of the only elementary school in a district of just 520 students K-12.

At Falk Elementary School there are as many people working in the building as there were in the entire district in my previous employ. There has been much to learn about the systems and processes that contribute to Madison's reputation as an excellent place for children to learn.

I am in awe of the vast resources and expertise available within and around the district, and have taken advantage of many of them as I seek ways to build on the previous success of Falk School. This task is made easier given the immense talents and dedication of the school's teachers and staff.

I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to serve the students and families in the Falk School community and look forward to the challenges and changes that lie ahead.