December 12, 2014

New flight plan

Filed under: about me,TeachersFirst — Candace Hackett Shively @ 8:55 am

Take off. Soar. Land. Do it again. Such is the pattern of a teacher as we travel through each school year. Somewhere in the middle of each school year, the rest of the world celebrates the official “New Year” with resolutions, etc. We teachers — and our students — go right on with our flights into learning.

This holiday season, however, the New Year brings an entirely new flight plan for this teacher. My professional career as a longtime teacher and as Director of K-12 Initiatives at The Source for Learning will be making its last landing. I have filed a new flight plan for 2015. I am both excited and a little nervous to announce that I will be retiring as of January 1 to pursue the many creative endeavors that have always been pushed to the bottom of my to-do list. 36848050

I look forward to creative aerobatics in a wide open “sky.”  I expect a little turbulence, and I know my flight will involve much personal learning. I will miss more than I can say here. In my mind, I will always see the contrails from decades of terrific colleagues and amazing kids.

TeachersFirst will have a new “pilot,” and our team is ready. My successor has been chosen and is fulfilling her contract in her current school district. I know her well from shared activities within ISTE, and I know TeachersFirst will be in very good hands.

Thank you for making my nearly nine years as TeachersFirst’s lead Thinking Teacher a true joy. In my final blog post or two before I go, I plan to share a few “gifts” to keep you thinking!

3 Comments

  1. Congratulations Candace! You have made a real difference in the lives of so many teachers and their students. You are the epitome of a lifelong learner. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve on the board of Teachersfirst. May you and your loved ones enjoy good health so that you can get the most out of your new path. Sending my love. <3

    Comment by Ilene (DeeDee) Franklin — December 14, 2014 @ 7:37 pm

  2. […] I approach the end of the year and the end of my time as lead “Thinking Teacher,” I am using my gift-giving powers to share my all time favorite TeachersFirst resources as […]

    Pingback by Think Like a Teacher » A Gift to You: My All-time Favs — December 19, 2014 @ 9:08 am

  3. […] 2015 dawns, The Thinking Teacher behind this blog, Candace Hackett Shively, has moved on to new creative endeavors in her retirement. This blog will remain online with posts from […]

    Pingback by Think Like a Teacher » Happy New Year! — January 1, 2015 @ 12:03 am

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