This story has been shared from sister station YNN Austin

Eight months ago Texas Governor Rick Perry envisioned himself at the Republican National Convention accepting the party's nomination for president, but that's not how things worked out. He sat down with YNN's Alana Rocha Thursday to talk about his supporting role in the GOP and his focus on the upcoming legislative session.

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Texas' top state leader stayed busy in Tampa at the Republican National Convention Thursday.

Governor Rick Perry met with delegations from across the country and saw familiar faces from his time on the presidential campaign trail.

Throughout the convention, Perry stayed visible on the floor of the Tampa Bay Times Forum shaking hands and posing for pictures. Also during this trip, the governor further spelled out what the months ahead look like for him both politically and professionally.

"If you want to make God smile, tell him your plans. Well my plans were to be speaking tonight at the convention," Perry said.

Roughly eight months ago, Texas Governor Rick Perry imagined himself in a very different role come time for the GOP.

"We chose our quarterback and I'm a loyal team player,” Perry said. “My job is to be a part of the team—whatever is required."

While Perry dropped out of the running for the Republican presidential nomination earlier this year, he said he's ready to campaign for Mitt Romney.

"He really riled the crowd today and I think it's because he believes we're going to win too," Barbara Thorburn, an alternate delegate from New Braunfels, said.

And once the general election passes, he says his focus will be on the next legislative session.

"School choice. We at long last are going to be able to make our schools some of the most competitive in the world, at the same time keeping our accountability standards," Perry said.

In 2011, Texas education took a multi-million dollar hit due to the budget shortfall and will again be the focus of lawmakers in 2013.

And only after the legislative session wraps, will Perry announce his future political intentions—whether statewide or national.