Happy Thanksgiving - Communal Sustenance

What does it mean to give thanks? It means to acknowledge all those in one's community who provide sustenance, both spiritually and materially. I am thankful for my children, my family, the loving support of my friends, my church, and all the other people I come in contact with on a personal as well as professional level.

As I reflect on the past year as a Vice-President of the PEA, I want to give thanks to all those members who supported me during my ordeal--read it here and here and here. We were triumphant, and due process has been confirmed as "the law of the land," so to speak. As someone who grew up in Plainfield, attended Plainfield public schools, and who teaches in the district, I am forever grateful for the community support I received and especially for the warm wishes from those who value dedication, openness, and ethical leadership. I want to reiterate something I wrote earlier this year as I pledge to continue to support my fellow Plainfield teachers, our support staff, and our security personnel:

I am proud to be a member and an elected officer (2nd Vice President) of an organization that speaks up for the interests of these employees of the public school system with reference to working conditions, pay and the protection of our rights of free association and speech in pursuit of the community's common goal of educating and nurturing our youth and preparing them to be informed, skilled and active participants in society at large.

Have a safe and relaxing holiday!

Peace,

Roni