Vinyl, Vision, and the Joy of Being Extra

Originally posted on LinkedIn on June 17, 2025

About three years ago, our university launched a graduate program for career changers pursuing alternative certification pathways. Most only needed 12 credit hours, based on state requirements, but we saw an opportunity to embed those credits into a full Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction.

We figured the certification classes would gain traction given our state’s dire teacher shortage, with over 4,000 emergency certifications issued annually. But what surprised us was how many students chose to keep going, even though there’s no real salary bump on the state’s pay scale. Historically, most graduates in our comprehensive preparation programs pursued other master’s degrees like Educational Leadership or Counseling. These students? They’re proudly choosing to stay.

Our very first graduate was set to finish in December 2023. And since this was a brand-new program, and because I lean a little toward over-the-top-in-the-best-possible-way (my husband calls it “extra”), I decided it deserved a tradition.

So, armed with my trusty Cricut, a stack of photo frames, and what some might lovingly call an extra amount of enthusiasm, I got to work. The Cricut took the lead, precisely cutting the vinyl letters that would mark the beginning of our Graduate Wall. I framed our very first student’s photo, labeled it with the semester and year, and hung it with intention and joy right outside of my office.

What started as a small celebration quickly grew into a ritual, rooted not just in pride and purpose, but in the joy of honoring those who chose to go further. Every frame holds a story. Every photo reflects a decision to say “yes” to more. And yes… I may be a little “extra,” but around here, we’ve turned that into a tradition worth celebrating.

Every semester, I take a group photo of the new graduates right after the ceremony. Then, I frame it, hang it proudly, and send a picture of the growing wall to the next group of soon-to-be grads. I remind them, “You’re this close to being on the wall.” I don’t know if my enthusiasm has ever made someone turn in a late assignment, but I like to think the visual of that wall has quietly cheered them on.

As the wall filled up, so did the heart behind it. We’ve added photos of our annual award winners. And when a student couldn’t attend the ceremony last year, but had won Outstanding Graduate Student, I was relieved she was already up there. This year, two more couldn’t attend, so I created a photo collage titled “Celebrating Our Graduates Who Couldn’t Attend in Person.” (Crafting a title that honors without sounding like a farewell? That’s a creative challenge I didn’t see coming.)

I don’t know if this wall means as much to the students as it does to me. But every time I walk past it, I see effort. I see choice. I see a community of people who went beyond the minimum and earned something bigger. There’s joy in the ritual, warmth in the tradition, and just enough “extra” to make it unforgettable.

So far, we’ve had 37 graduates, and we’re expecting at least 50 more this academic year. I might need a bigger wall… and another roll of Cricut vinyl.

So, here’s to every graduate who said yes to more. Yes, to growth. Yes, to purpose. And yes, to impact. Let’s keep building pathways, celebrating persistence, and making the “extra” feel extraordinary. Now’s the time to honor their stories (and maybe even start a graduate wall of your own.

(Image Credit: Google Gemini)