Northwest Notes . . . Division President’s Message
new challenges, new shirts John Combs NW Division President
picked up over the years from various events in my life. For some reason, I can’t seem to throw them away. My wife, Bobbi, is very patient with the fact that I have a difficult
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time letting go of these relics of the past. Even though some of them are pretty worn and ratty looking, I just can’t take them to Goodwill, give them the heave-ho, or tear them up for the rag pile. When I wear one, people might see an old guy in a shirt that has outlived its worth. But these t-shirts represent who I am and some of the many fantastic things that have been part of my life. I remember the people I was with and the events that took place. The fact is those t-shirts are a visible reminder of those experiences, and I am inclined to embrace those times. Perhaps you know what I’m talking about?
The oldest ones are from my college days. Sadly, those
shirts are getting well into their 40’s. I have shirts from various family vacation trips and shirts from guest conducting gigs, from Alaska to Thailand. My wife and I have three grown daughters, and we have obviously supported their activities and schools by purchasing clothing. I have shirts from several universities thanks to my girls’ educational opportunities: The University of Montana, Montana State University, The United States Military Academy at West Point, Washington State University, Philipp University Marburg (Germany), and Seattle University. It makes my wallet hurt just thinking about it. In addition, I have shirts from national parks, various US Army posts and overseas deployments, not to mention shirts from my participation with The University of Montana Alumni Band and gifts from the Missoula bands I supervise. One of my favorites is from the Missoula Law Enforcement Community. It is from a time when I helped out as a member of the security team because Hell’s Angels decided to have their annual convention in Missoula. Are you starting to understand why I need two drawers?
And what is the point of telling you all this? Each of those
shirts represent a new challenge that was brought to me or my family. Many of them carried a fair amount of angst or risk.
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Some were purchased on the front end of the experience before we understood fully what was going to take place. Others were acquired as a statement of accomplishment and victory. It seems like each year I have been able to add a valued piece of cloth to my stable of shirts. Why? Because the adventures never seem to end.
What “t-shirt” worthy adventures are you adding to your life
and career this year? As we look forward to the challenges and expectations that a new school year brings, we need to make sure that there are those invigorating events on our schedule which will test our skill, willpower and tenacity.
If you don’t have anything on your schedule or nothing comes to mind, you need to get creative. While you may not share my inclination to hang on to comfortable old clothes, there is a very high chance that you will have an inclination to get comfortable with your teaching. Those of you in the contentment
of the well established teacher and who have life in a nice groove need to realize that your comfort zone will be your undoing. We all know teachers who live on cruise control. They’ve been there, done that and…..”have the t-shirt.” Problem is, they’re not working to achieve any more. They have lost their zest and motivation to be something special in the lives of their students and families.
Perhaps you are early in your career and the tests you see
ahead are daunting. You’re at the front end of adventure and it seems pretty scarey at this point.
Young, old, or in between, you need to plan on collecting
a new shirt or two. Please note - if your clothing plan doesn’t cause a little fear to well up inside of you then you’re not being bold enough. To stretch yourself, you need to work beyond what
Wyoming Windsong
have a drawer full of old t-shirts. Okay, truthfully, I have two drawers full of old t-shirts. These are not the standard white v-neck or crew neck shirts but rather are shirts I have
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