The first Tuesday without a bell The first Tuesday after I retired, I still woke before the sun. Old rhythms don’t disappear overnight. The coffee steamed, the street was quiet, and somewhere a school bus sighed at the corner the way buses do—a soft exhale that used to set my day in motion. My calendar […]
The Shift from Doing to Being: What Retirement Is Really Teaching Me Read More »
I was watching the dog the other morning, coffee in hand, when a breeze carried that faint, unmistakable hint of change in the air. The light was softer, the edges of the leaves just beginning to blush toward autumn. And it struck me: this wasn’t just the season outside shifting — it was my own
Seasons of the Soul: How Nature Mirrors Our Inner World Read More »
A peaceful, morning-lit workspace, inviting reflection and prep—perfect for grounding yourself before the classroom day begins.
What I Wish I Knew Then: Back-to-School Wisdom from a Retired Teacher Read More »
areI. A Slow Exhale Before the Rush It starts quietly—an aisle at Target filled with bins of crayons and colorful planners. A newsletter in the inbox. A few friends texting about bulletin board ideas. And suddenly, summer begins to tighten into structure. I remember that shift so well. Even in retirement, I still feel
Reconnecting to Your Why: Preparing the Heart, Not Just the Classroom Read More »
A recent experience got me thinking about aging. The other morning I went in for a tooth extraction. This is the second one I’ve had. The first went extremely well and healed up very nicely. Still, as I drove in, I noticed I was anxious and worried about the experience. As I prayed for calmness,
Aging Gracefully: What It Really Means to Expand Instead of Shrink Read More »
“We do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience.”— John Dewey As we grow older, we begin to realize that reflection isn’t just a luxury — it’s a necessity. It’s how we make sense of life’s many chapters. But more than that, it’s how we come to see ourselves with new
Looking Back to See Ourselves Anew: How Reflection Reframes Identity Read More »
I’m basically an introvert, and I draw my strength and energy from times of reflection. So, when life gets really busy, I sometimes start to feel depleted. Today was kind of a day like that. First, Kelli, my wife, and I drove 40 minutes to my stepson’s house, where we spent time catching up with
The Value of Pause: Learning to Listen More Deeply to the Inner Voice Read More »
There’s something about the ocean that invites us to breathe differently. After the intensity of the NEA RA, Kelli and I spent a few days in Seaside, Oregon — a small, beloved coastal town where the horizon stretches endlessly, and the waves arrive like a whispered prayer. We stood near Haystack Rock, that mighty sentinel
Standing Small Before the Sea: A Spiritual Exhale for Those Who Give of Themselves Read More »
I’m in Portland, Oregon, attending the National Education Association Representative Assembly, a gathering of 7,000 Educators in the largest democratic body in the world. I’m here with Maureen, the DSEA Retired President, Kelli, my wife and DSEA Retired Vice President, and 50 Delaware State Education Association Delegates. Our purpose is to help direct the future
Creating Sacred Space for Renewal After the School Year Read More »
I’m in Portland, OR, for the National Education Association Representative Assembly. Those of you who know me know Kelli, my wife, and I attend each year, and have for the past 20. As delegates, we participate in the largest democratic body in the world, helping make decisions on NEA budget, legislative goals, policies, and goals.
Reframing: A Life Skill We Don’t Teach Enough Read More »
