The plan for the new year is the usual one. Except now I begin a five-year pre-retirement plan. Yes, most people begin that a tad earlier, but I've never been most people. Continue at the current position for a total of 2 or 3 years, then find a higher paying position until I retire, so I can get a better pension. After retirement, work at TMLA as part time teacher, staff developer, or administrator.
Monday, December 28, 2009
2010: What's the Plan?
The plan for the new year is the usual one. Except now I begin a five-year pre-retirement plan. Yes, most people begin that a tad earlier, but I've never been most people. Continue at the current position for a total of 2 or 3 years, then find a higher paying position until I retire, so I can get a better pension. After retirement, work at TMLA as part time teacher, staff developer, or administrator.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Another Hannon Christmas
Our 2009 Christmas Eve seemed smaller, but it was lovely. There were only two generations present, with Mary Ann moved to Florida and Uncle Tony and Carolyn gone to PA a day earlier. I left in time to attend Midnight Mass and therfore missed Dan and Jen, but I am sure I'll catch up with them soon. The party in Rockefeller Centre this past Sunday was another great family get together -- with Kelly our star on ice.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Jesus Before Pilate: Speaking Truth to Power?
As usual Connie Dietz delivered an insightful, thought-provoking homily during yesterday's celebration of the Feast of Christ the King, referencing the striking (yet perfect) choice of the Gospel reading. So counter intuitive this Jesus. Last first, poor, rich, exalted and lowly. For me this radical way of life is presented most beautifully in the Sermon on the Mount and the chapters that follow. Yet, how deeply challenging a life to live. David's blog post connects the gospel passage to the concept of "servant leadership," which caught my attention. Here's a Cliff Notes version of SL.
Servant leadership is considered an underlying philosophy of leadership, demonstrated through specific characteristics and practices. The foundational concepts are found in Greenleaf’s first three major essays, The Servant as Leader, The Institution as Servant, and Trustees as Servants.
The Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership identified the following ten characteristic of servant leaders: listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of others, and building community.
More to come on this, I suspect.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
More Substance to this Blog Needed?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
A Slight Issue with the Tombstone
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Calverton Here I Come
For a visit, that is, not my final resting place; it's too soon and I've never been in the military (except for grammar school) so I don't qualify. I'm leaning towards cremation anyway; it's cheaper, quicker, and rife with fun possibilities for the disposition of the ashes.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
"The Baleful Effect of Patriarchal Mariology"
Wow... I just read the first two chapters of Elizabeth Johnson's Truly Our Sister, better late than never, considering it was published in 2003. I sense movement, faint sounds within my mind and heart which I've allowed in now and then through the decades, in varying decibels. All I can hope is to be attentive and open, maybe even with a stance of "forgiving vigilance."
The content of Catholic feminism depends a lot on individual circumstances and the mysteries of temperament. What distinguishes, say, the successful attorney who would never tolerate an overtly sexist boss but stays firmly in the pews of a church with an all-male hierarchy from the Catholic feminist whose principles dictate a life on the institution’s margins? And how does she differ in turn from the woman whose conscience impels her to leave the church?
Interesting musings for just another Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Today's is a Tough Gospel to Live
Giving from one's substance, not one's abundance. I think that's the translation I recall from my childhood. Maybe not; "substance" doesn't seem right. Anyway, this reading is certainly easier to hear when you're a child and you don't really have anything to give, or any reputation to maintain, or any desire really to be admired. Not as easy at 50.
Mk 12:38-44 or 12:41-44
In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds,
"Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes
and accept greetings in the marketplaces,
seats of honor in synagogues,
and places of honor at banquets.
They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext
recite lengthy prayers.
They will receive a very severe condemnation."
He sat down opposite the treasury
and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood."
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Hamlet Begone!
I trust America, the magazine that is, for a solid review of Hamlet with Jude Lawe. And, wow, what a closing line: “The course of action that seems most appropriate for this dissatisfied prince is not bloody murder but a Bloody Mary on some southerly beach.” Ouch. Given the cost and my own somewhat high standards for the play, I am not forking over serious cash for a merely “clear” performance. It is not enough that the audience understand what happens by the end of the play -- which according to the reviewer is about as good as it gets with this production. I do not need to go gaga over Jude Lawe as Hamlet. So, I’ll lower the expectations, go enjoy Jersey Boys, and call it a day.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
It's a Beautiful Season
It's my godchild's 12th birthday, All Saints' Day, and it is a beautiful autumn day in New York. I think of autumn as a kind of dusk, and once again, I find myself looking to be rejuvenated- a perennial state of mind for me, despite the season. I have been fortunate to learn about Ignatian spirituality and and the CSJ charism, both of which I call upon to inform my daily interactions and my own spirituality-- with varying degrees of consistency. These are gifts to be continually opened. In Jesuit boys' schools and CSJ girls' schools, the students are called upon to be "men for others" and women of "all inclusive love," both in many ways from the same Catholic tradition. Something wonderful to consider on this feast of All Saints.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Forget the Casket: Lay Me Out on a Couch
Okay, the title might seem morbid, but it's actually a brilliantly succinct expression of what my dear friend Claudia has chronicled for almost 20 years and calls "The Secret Life of Mary Hannon." I should add to the title that instead of rosary beads in my hands, just give me a nice Cablevision DVR remote. Oh, but enough about me.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Still A Mary Louis Woman After All These Years
I guess in addition to faith, family, friends, and work, TMLA remains an important factor in my life. Actually, my ongoing TMLA experience encompasses all of those things. Most recently, I attended a dinner welcoming SSP, Student Sponsor Partnerships to its first year with Mary Louis. SSP is a Manhattan-based, not-for-profit company which matches students with financial need to appropriate private secondary institutions. This year, TMLA welcomed 9 ninth graders via SSP-- to be matched to TMLA, the girls demonstrated the ability to be successful in the rigorous TMLA academic environment. Each girl will be supported also by a "time" sponsor. This is an adult who partners with SSP and TMLA to serve as a mentor or academic coach for the students.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Progressive Lenses, Golden Eagles, and Bartimaeus?
Maybe my new glasses, dubbed "progressives" will help me progress further --- I've been a bit stalled lately. Now that I think about it, I have been using vision metaphors increasingly to describe my new position, or more precisely, the different perspective which my work responsibilities require. I welcome new lenses. ** I wonder if they come with a weight loss lens? (That's for another post)
As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd,
Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus,
sat by the roadside begging.
On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,
he began to cry out and say,
"Jesus, son of David, have pity on me."
And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.
But he kept calling out all the more,
"Son of David, have pity on me."
Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."
So they called the blind man, saying to him,
"Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you."
He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?"
The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see."
Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you."
Immediately he received his sight
and followed him on the way.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Polarity Management:I'll Take a Ying Yang Combo:
Monday, September 14, 2009
Facebook and Morning Coffee
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Opening Day 28
Tuesday morning from about 8AM to 10Am, members of theBethpage School District gathered for their Opening Day. This featured the new Superintendent, a beloved 24- year Bethpage veteran, and his slide shows of results, who's new, milestones, then the year in review. Very nice, engaging way to begin the year. Like the other 2 public school districts, of which I have been a part, at Bethpage, the teachers seat themselves (like children) in the last possible rows, so there is about one third of the front of the auditorium empty... except for administrators. Unlike the other two, Bethpage is a one man show-- no introduction of Board members, building administrators, anniversary celebrants, Teachers of the Year, or student entertainment. My sense, however, was that there was sincere enthusiasm for and mutual appreciation of the Superintendent and staff, which set a very positive tone to begin the year.
Monday, September 7, 2009
The Other First Day: Opening Day
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Labor Day Weekend 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
On Welcoming Myopia
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Attachments Begone....
Friday, August 14, 2009
The Stuff of Life Can Stop You Mid Post!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
One Month Later
It's been a lazy, busy month, however oxymoronic that may sound. I've been reading a lot on line and continue to think about procuring a Kindle. The picture above is from earlier in the season at a Night of Storytelling for toddlers. What fun!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Summer Reading 2009 @ Bethpage
Never a big fan of the mandatory summer reading assignment, I was pleasantly surprised by the Bethpage plan. Choice is provided; very important. The titles are excellent. Teachers are available to provide help to students on specific days during the summer. (Also a State ed requirement). The librarians even made videos about each book. That's a plan I can support, and the letter from the Assistant Superintendent was informative and well written, especially as its audience was parents. [I actually would love an alternative assignment to be the creation of a video advertising the book to next year's students.] Also got me thinking about creating authentic "Read" posters for school libraries, featuring various members of the Bethpage community. Ideally, we can create a culture for students which encourages and celebrates all types of reading and writing so that reading over the summer would be taken for granted.
So far, I have procured one book for each grade level, but I need at least a second. These titles might actually be good to consider for mentor texts next year, or maybe literature circles. That way, students will already have familiarity with some of the texts.
Friday, July 10, 2009
What's on Your To Read List?
But a reading list....oh now that's another story altogether. I'll time myself doing a 2-minute "quick write" (omg remember that? was it it any way useful?) of titles I have read recently, am currently reading or rereading, or plan to read or reread in the not-too-distant future:
Caulkins, Art of Teaching Reading
Caulkins, Art of Teaching Writing
Dan Pink, Johnny Bunko
JhumpaLahiri, Unaccustomed Earth, Namesake, Interpreter of Maladies
Patchett, Patron Saint of Liars
Life of Pi
Albert Einstein
Pink, Brain Rules
Patchett, Bel Canto
Noe, Getting Started with Literature Circles
Holes
Wit
The Giver
Gospel of St.John
Balducci, Wish You Well
Hawthorne, Bartleby the Scrivener
Friedman, The World is Flat
That's far from complete but my recall is not what it used to be, but an interesting list nevertheless.