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GROWING
INTO MYSELF
DAVID HAGSTROM
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| "Our
deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic selfhood, whether
or not it conforms to some image of who we ought to be. As we do
so, we will not only find the joy that every human seeks - we will
also find our path of authentic service in the world. True vocation
joins self and service, as Frederick Buechner asserts when he defines
vocation as: the place where your deep gladness meets the world's
deep need." (Parker J. Palmer, from Let your Life Speak:
Listening for the Voice of Vocation) |
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Over
the years, I have always thought of myself as a teacher. It hasn't
mattered whether I was teaching high school world history, teaching
communications skills courses at the college level, or serving as
an elementary school principal, I simply saw my work as that of
a teacher. I continue to see myself in this way. However, in recent
years there have been a couple of descriptors I have added to my
vocation profile. Somewhere along the way, I've become a storyteller.
And, over a lifetime of work in schools, I've become a guide for
educators as they craft and create a sense of community in their
workplaces. All of my teaching these days occurs against a backdrop
of change, transition, and (often) challenge and difficulty. More
and more, I get invitations to give "pep talks" and inspirational
presentations.
Initially,
on receiving what I considered "calls for help" from
educators, I was tempted to shrink from the task. "Too daunting
a job," I'd say to myself. However, as time has gone on and
the number of challenging invitations has increased, I am beginning
to realize that offering affirmations of encouragement is, indeed,
my new teaching assignment. I've come to understand that my beloved
teaching practice (including my work as guide and storyteller)
meets a world's deep need in this time of great challenge and
difficulty.
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Courage To Lead 2004
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I've
come to believe that my calling can be best described as affirming
all those educators who desire schools that feel fully alive.
I am passionate about providing guidance to those educators as
they discover their true path of service. And, I strongly want
to encourage them as they seek to find that sense of community
and that fulfilling mission that will truly make a difference
in the lives of the young people in their care. This is my current
work.
This is my calling.
DAVID
ALAN HAGSTROM
Portland, Oregon
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