"Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own.”

--- Charles Dickens ---

Of all the holidays, my favorite one is the Thanksgiving Holidays in November, because they give me an opportunity to reflect, a moment to pause from life’ s treadmill , and savor its blessings. This holiday provides a much needed relief from my hectic life both as a school principal and as a part-time educational consultant.

What am I thankful for? I am thankful for the opportunity to continue to learn and lead. In my twenty-first year as principal, I feel grateful for the teachers, students and parents in my learning community who inspire me to make a difference in the lives of children. After my doctor a l degree in educational leadership from USC,I am thankful for the opportunity to continue to learn from educational experts who keep me a breast of current research findings and issues.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Education islearning what you didn’ t even know you didn’t know.” The more we learn, the more we realizehow little we really know. Will Durant, a philosopherand historian, also said“, Education is aprogressive discovery of our own ignorance.”As I engage in professional discussions withcolleagues and spend weekends buried in professionalreadings, I find books are a refuge.

Books are an escape from the prison of the self and an escape from the responsibilities of the here and now. Learning and books are mytherapy, keeping all my problems in perspective.

This month is not only for thankful reflectionof the past year, but it’ s also a time for anticipation.

The growing crispness of the air, thecolorful leaf changes, and other signs of winter’s imminence inspire me to look forward to thewinter holidays. Therefore, November is the perfect month to look back and forward at the same time.

“On Thanksgiving, let’s reflect one moment as a family and ask your children to write what they are thankful for. You as parents, also,share your thoughts of gratitude in your lifewith your children. For a family gathering, I also suggest you prepare your Thanksgiving meal together: roasted turkey, yam, cranberry sauce,dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie,spicy apple cider etc. together. They say families who eat together, pray together, and do activities together, bond together and stay together.

Children are very impressionable. Parents have a great impact on them because parents become children’s main role models. Parent’s influence on children is significant, often lasting far into the iradult hood. Let’s use Thanksgiving Holidays toenrich the bonds between parents and children who are emotionally healthy."




<수지 오 칼럼 / LAUSD 교장, 교육학 박사>