A year ago, a group of students of Brazilian ethnicity decided that they wanted to educate the school about Brazilian culture. Through hard work, charm and community support they created the first-ever Brazilian awareness day at the regional high school.

I often tease my students that in writing for an English class, the writer can use language playfully — metaphor to create nuance and alliteration to draw images. History writing, I tell them, is intended to be as a dry as a bone: a recitation of the facts. Though now we know that history is an intertwined story of multiple perspectives where the voices of many should be heard, the debate continues over the form that voice should take.

Many years ago I had a wonderful job with a budget, but no one, including me, had the first idea what I was supposed to do. I enjoyed the freedom and loved the children.

J anuary is a time for post-holiday diets and economic panics, and this year we all face an uncertain future. The new year resolutions we make give us all time to reflect on the choices we make and, with our fingers crossed, we begin the great adventure of another year.