With the New Year of 2024, it is the time for resolutions and positive changes in people’s lives. Many realize what they need to improve from the past year and set goals and expectations for themselves. This includes the teacher’s of Aliso Niguel High School.
To reflect on the year 2023, many teachers set goals to work on themselves and their health mentally and physically.
Mrs. McCann, a math teacher at Aliso Niguel, said, “My New Year’s Resolution this year is to find time to treat myself and care for myself. By that I mean, taking myself out to dinner, getting my nails done and finding a balance between family and work while also squeezing in time to workout.”
Mrs. Reilly, an AP U.S. History teacher, said, “My resolution is to get into the gym at least five times a week. I have also been trying to take up some time to fill up my own cup because I am always giving. As a teacher with three kids, I am always giving to other people so I have been trying to figure out what fills me up and give myself the grace to do things for me.”
Thinking and stating a resolution is the easy part, but applying and putting in the effort to make changes in order to follow through is the difficult part of resolutions.
“So far I have followed my New Year’s resolution. I have gotten my nails done, worked out weekly and even went on a mini vacation with my girlfriends over the winter break,” said Mrs. McCann.
“Yes I do think that I have kept my word with my resolution. I have taken time to walk my dog, exercise and read,” said Mrs. Reilly.
Other teachers have a completely different perspective on New Year’s resolutions. Ms. Terhardt, a history teacher at ANHS, shared, “I didn’t make a resolution this year because I believe that you shouldn’t wait until Jan. 1 to make necessary changes in your life, make your life changes whenever you need to make them. That’s how life works.”
It takes a lot of effort and will to make changes at the time that they are necessary, but Ms. Terhardt has a great point and wise perspective on resolutions.
Spanish teacher Señora McClellan said, “To be completely honest, I did not have a resolution this year because I don’t have a direct motive or specific goal for this year. I wanted to come into the new year with an open mind. I plan to better myself and support others throughout the year, like spending time with my family and friends.”
Teachers do many things for students and it can take up a lot of their life. New Year’s resolutions are a way for them to reflect and be proud of how much they have accomplished last year, but still take time to realize that some thought should be put into themselves and the benefits of focusing on themselves as people.
