When I accepted this position a little over two years ago , I thought that I had amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience that alone would ensure that I would be successful as a significant leader in this association . I knew that it would be a totally new learning experience that would build up my professional capabilities and make me a more rounded business leader . What I did not expect is that I would become a student in one of the best classes of my life , taught by some of the best teachers I have ever had the privilege of knowing … you .
Executive Director ’ s Report
The Curriculum of ARTA by Daniel Mulloy
“ A teacher affects eternity ; he can never tell where his influence stops .”
— Henry Adams
When I accepted this position a little over two years ago , I thought that I had amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience that alone would ensure that I would be successful as a significant leader in this association . I knew that it would be a totally new learning experience that would build up my professional capabilities and make me a more rounded business leader . What I did not expect is that I would become a student in one of the best classes of my life , taught by some of the best teachers I have ever had the privilege of knowing … you .
ARTA is a course , and you have all been my teachers . While the course content may not be a normal one , you have all taught me some very valuable lessons and have helped me add valuable tools to my toolbox that have made me not only a better business leader , but a better person . Your passion , dedication , care and consideration of one another , and your professional manner have left a lasting impression on me . Your mentorship , humour , and wisdom have helped me look at problems and opportunities in a whole new light ; your lessons have helped me mature and develop into someone who is , I hope , a more rounded and more passionate person .
I guess it is true that teachers never stop teaching , and we , in turn , never stop learning . Part of my maturation process has been the lessons that you have taught me , most notably learning to accept what you cannot change , facing unresolved sorrows and learning to love life as it really happens , not as you would have it happen . The way you have all , in one form or another , come to this realization and are willing to share your life experiences with me , both good and bad , has taught me more than could be learnt from any textbook . Real world experience , from the classroom and beyond , is a great foundation for the most real and heartfelt curriculum ever developed .
As ARTA grows , lesson plans are ever evolving and I am learning new and exciting life lessons every day . You , my mentors and teachers , are forever contributing to my evolution and maturation as a business person , friend , husband and father . I came to ARTA for a job , but have received much more than a pay cheque from all of you ; never before has learning from my teachers been so rewarding , challenging , inspiring and fulfilling or , perhaps , I am now mature enough to understand that you have been doing this with me since my first day in the classroom . Maybe it is only now that I truly appreciate what a teacher means to every student ; maybe it is in reflection of what you do , that I appreciate all that you have done .
Until the next class , I remain your humble student . …
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Maybe it is only now that I truly appreciate what a teacher means to every student ; maybe it is in reflection of what you do , that I appreciate all that you have done .
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Spring 2014 7