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RETIREMENT
As I contemplate my fast approaching
retirement, in this last essay for NewsLinks I wanted to reflect upon some
thoughts that are circulating in my brain.
These self reflections are personal and display how I view my life and
career. I have been extremely fortunate to have spent
my career in education, a profession that is honorable and strives to have
every young person become all they can be.
My career has allowed me to grow personally, to become part of an
interdependent world, and to gain an understanding and empathy for the many
individuals and cultures I’ve lived amongst. In reflecting on these past thirty years, I
have come to understand how I have arrived at this point in my life. My successes or failures along the way have
been guided by these thoughts that have matured as I grew older. I have learned that my core beliefs can not
and should not be compromised, but all else is open to new understandings and behavior
modifications. I’ve learned that I can
sleep well at night, regardless of circumstances, if what I do and decide is
based on those beliefs. I have learned that success at work or in
life is almost always accomplished in partnership with others. Failures are a part of life and we are better
accepted if others know we failed while following our core principles. I have learned that student welfare must come
first – regardless of the difficulties that may arise because of decisions that
are made from that premise. I have learned that most human behavior is
universal, and it has given me a belief that hope in the world comes through
understanding and empathy and not through dogma and politics. I’ve lived in impoverished countries where
human pain and suffering are everyday occurrences. It takes only one instant to realize that the
death of a child is no less painful or acceptable to a parent who lives in a
hut than to a person surrounded by riches.
Each unnecessary suffering in the world diminishes all of us. I have
learned that each position I have been responsible for must be given my 110%
participation. To not give my all would
be disingenuous and disrespectful to the goals of my profession. I am thankful for the variety of life
experiences that so few have been able to participate in. Whether viewing, “Gorillas in the Mist,” or
witnessing a lion dance in Singapore, I continue to be amazed by the variety of
cultures and people in the world. I am
thankful for the scores of friends who became my overseas family. These friends have been interesting
individuals and dedicated to do such good works that I continue to be in awe of
their contributions to make this world a better place. I have dozens of people to thank for their
help, support, and friendship over the years.
I will not take this space to do so but will speak with each one
personally. Without them, my career and
personal growth could never have occurred. As I enter retirement, I can’t resist a final
word about my family. I have the best,
most compassionate and caring wife a person could hope for. For those who know Diane also know how lucky
I am. She deserves my attention and
interest, and after retirement, we will together find ways to become caring
members of our new community. I am
extremely proud of my daughters, both raised overseas, who are successful
individuals in their chosen professions.
They have given Diane and me a gift of seven wonderful grandsons, who
have changed our lives forever and have given us reason to wish for a long
retirement. I’m thankful for my
sons-in-law - fantastic fathers who take great pride in raising their sons and who
enjoy being an integral part of their sons’ lives. Many friends have asked what I’ll be doing
after leaving ISS. One friend joked,
“You must be older than you look or richer than I know.” The fact is I am neither. I’m relatively young to retire (age 62) and I
am definitely not wealthy. I’m not sure
what ultimately will take up most of my retirement time, but I am sure of what
my priorities will be. Life is a very quick ride, and I’ve enjoyed
the challenges of my career. I will
always remain interested in the success of ISS and how my friends are doing,
but its time for me to set new goals.
Bringing a smile to my grandsons is more important to me than ever
before. I want to relish their
unconditional love and return that love with interest and, hopefully, loving
guidance. Being around to attend their
baseball games, concerts, and school assemblies seems much more important than
visiting another country now. The
friendship and closeness with my adult daughters is a continuing wonder to me
and I want to spend more time with them as they continue to grow professionally
and personally. ISS is an exceptional organization. It has been my honor to be part of its recent
growth and movement into new areas. I’m
delighted it will continue to thrive in the capable hands of Roger Hove, and I will
always remain interested in how it prospers. In closing, I’d like to repeat a saying that
is used in baseball, “Run hard until you’re out!” I will do so at ISS until my time is up in
June 2009. Daniel L. Scinto President |
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