Sitting here in the airport in Toronto, with my ride coming for me at any moment.....I hope.......I have turned to Trifecta and have been reading some of the other resolutions and dwelling on my own. Since most of the resolutions I have read so far are very personal, I will go that same route and offer up, what will undoubtedly be, the number one mission I have this year and that is, to help my students and their families transition from the closure of our small, close-knit little community school, to the larger, newer, wealthier school across town.
I have said to several Trifecta friends how there is always a certain degree of leadership and responsibility that comes with being a teacher. However, the community has become very sad and anxious and feel very small at the moment. They are reaching out to me and the other teachers to guide them and ensure that everything is going to be alright. We all feel the added weight of their personal expectations. We will be alright but, for now, our journey is still unfolding so, my resolution reflects that journey and the importance of it to those being forced to change.
My resolution is to: Shepherd my flock.
Good luck to everyone in the year to come. Thanks for being such a great community in the year that is ending.
Alternate resolutions:
Hone my chops
Write more often
Create better work
Embrace change graciously
Slow life down
Keep loving fatherhood
Oh, Tom, this is a lovely and a worthy resolution! I just know that your community is better off for having someone like you to help them weather this.
ReplyDeleteThanks, my friend. They will be alright in the end, they just don't know that yet. Until then, there is lots of hand holding going on. :)
DeleteThank you, Jo-Anne for your unwavering support of me and all that I do. I am most fortunate to have your in my corner. Happy New Year to you, too. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful and selfless resolution. I hope those kids know how lucky they are to have you. I wish you the best as you do this in 2014.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janna. The kids need and deserve my best so, that is what they get. It should be quite a year ahead. :)
DeleteBeautiful sentiment and if there's anyone to help them get through the storm it's you and your kindness. Well put and may all those others happen as well. Happy New Year! Don't forget to come back and vote!
ReplyDeleteThanks guys! Here's hoping that it all turns out to a positive and rewarding journey for us all. Happy New Year to you and everyone at Trifecta Writing Challenge. :)
DeleteYours is a lovely, generous resolution. When the weight of it drags at you, remember that here you have a great many faithful followers to bolster you.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Tom!
Sometimes I look in the mirror and see my face and, at other times, I see Charlton Heston staring back at me. :) My ultimate goal is to be whatever these folks need me to be for the next eight months or so and then, we can all begin anew when school starts up again for another year. Until then, they need me so they have me. Thanks for being there for me; that face in the mirror that isn't always there.
DeleteGreat resolution. All the best for the new year - may the year be fulfilling, peaceful and healthy for you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you, IZ. I appreciate your comments very much. All the same to you, as well. :)
DeleteMy daughter has been blessed with so many good teachers throughout her school years. You guys are the glue that hold things together when times are tough. I've seen it over and over and over.
ReplyDeleteMany blessings in 2014, Tom, and I wish the best for your little community too:)
Thanks, Valerie! I appreciate your comments very much. Hopefully, the rest of the year will unfold in a positive way for all concerned. Thanks for being such a supportive friend to me, the kids and their families. :)
DeleteI like your resolution. It is humbling to be a teacher in that your work has an influence on every child.
ReplyDeleteSome folks would say that I am a humble dude but, more importantly, helping others makes me feel good so, I help. Hopefully, in the course of doing my job, I make things better for others. :) Thanks for such a nice comment, Ann. Happy New Year. :)
DeleteYour FLOCK is so incredibly lucky to have you as their Shepherd.
ReplyDeleteA good, hopeful and selfless resolution...so glad that our paths have crossed. You make the world (blogging and otherwise) a much better place.
HAPPY NEW YEAR my friend.
Good to hear from you, Kir! One day, before it is all over for you or for me, we must meet and we must hug! That would make my 2014 completely explode!!!!! Good luck in the year to come. Hope all of your heartfelt moments are joyous ones. <3
DeleteI may have to steal this mentality. Nothing this drastic is happening to my students this year, but a teacher can never go wrong in shepherding their flock. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to touch base. Would like to know more about your situation in the States. From everything we hear, up here in Canada, teaching doesn't seem like the sweetest gig anymore. Anyway, closing a school that is more than a school to those who go there, is a very different experience for all of us who work there. Hopefully, it will all unfold as intended and will end up being a positive experience for all concerned. Happy New Year to you and yours.
DeleteI doubt that you will have trouble fulfilling this resolution.
ReplyDeleteI will do my best, Tara. :)
DeleteOh, this is so lovely Tom! Your flock is so lucky to have such a caring shepherd. Wishing you all the best for 2014!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzanne. Same to you and everyone else in your life. :)
DeletePerfect.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Hopefully, this all works out for the best for everyone. Glad I have the Trifecta community to talk with about this. Happy New Year and all the best in 2014!
DeleteIt sounds like you already have what it takes to be a great shepherd....a gentle, protective, and compassionate heart. Those kids are lucky. Happy New Year to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, C.C.! Same to you. :)
DeleteOnly very special people can truly be teachers. Your community is fortunate to have you. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteThe temptation to say that I am "grateful" formyour kind words is very strong but, instead, I will simply say, thank you very much. :) Happy New Year, Jayne. :)
DeleteThat's a wonderful resolution , Tom. I am sure this year will make everything brighter and better for you and your community. A Very Happy New Year. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you are correct, Architar. Thanks for the vote of confidence. All the best in 2014! :)
Deletethinking all kind thoughts for you and your colleagues - so happy your students have you to help them weather through.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara. But, ironically enough, they are calling for a big snow storm Sunday night so, the first day of school for the new term may end up being a Snow Day!!!! :) What a crazy year! Happy New Year to you and yours! Thanks for always being there with such honest, thoughtful and generous comments. I appreciate them, every one! :)
DeleteRespecting you for stepping up in 2014!
ReplyDeleteThank you, UBU! I appreciate you taking the time to leave such a nice comment. All the best in 2014! :)
DeleteWhether at the old school or the new one, sounds like your students are fortunate to have someone like you! (Bryan at quest4peas.wordpress.com)
ReplyDeleteWell, let's hope I end up being worthy of their trust. Thank you for your comments, i appreciate them. :) All the best in 2014!
ReplyDeleteI echo so many of the previous comments about how this resolution fits you well and like a sure thing that you already do and will continue to do throughout this transition. You have one lucky flock, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Momo. You kind words mean a lot to me. All the best in 2014!
ReplyDeleteTom, you are amazing. And your post epitomizes why so many turn to you for guidance and support. I am so glad you are teacher. The world is a better place for you being in it.
ReplyDeleteWow! Knock me over with a feather, LaTonya! Thank you for your extremely flattering words. All the best in 2014! :)
Deletethank you for your link here from WP...your resolution shows what a caring teacher you must be and this world so needs good teachers. all the best, especially with your leadership with your students in 2014. ☺
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to visit my blog. I appreciate that and I appreciate your kind words, too. Thanks, as well, for pointing out the broken link at Wordpress. I was unaware that anyone was having an issue. I have corrected the problem, me thinks. Again, thanks for your comments and for taking the time to visit. I hope to see you again soon. All the best in 2014.
DeleteFrom the other comments you have received I have come to the conclusion that you will do just that, for to do anything else wouldn't be you! ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy! You are a peach! All the best in 2014. Please stop by and visit my blog again. It is good to have your presence here. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the list at the end! Great thing to reach for!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
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