In recent weeks, Deb Hensley, the TLAN Coordinator, realized she needed to step down from her coordinator position. An interim coordinator, Teri Grunthaner, started with us Oct. 20 (we’ll be sharing more about Teri soon). Here is Deb’s letter to TLAN members and friends. The TLAN is deeply grateful to Deb for her spark and work, compassion and vision.
Dear TLAN members–friends,artists, brilliant souls, lovers and spinners of words,
I’m writing to let you all know of my recent decision to step away from my position as the Coordinator of our lovely TLAN Network. A new set of personal needs and realities in my life (all good) have been nudging me for some time now to reassess my professional priorities. The demands of my part time position as Pre-K Director for three counties in mid-coast Maine have been steadily growing. Iʼve been asked to take on more responsibility and increase my hours to close to full time. Add to that some emerging TLA opportunities in my music life, and I’ve had to come to this decision sooner than later.
While I dearly love this Network and have put my heart and soul into it this past year I recognize that I canʼt continue spread myself so thin. With two part time private non-profit jobs, my early childhood consulting, and my own TLA work, I have been feeling like I wasn’t doing any of these jobs the justice due. So in an effort to defragment I have decided I must let the Network position go.
Please know this decision was not arrived at lightly. I have taken great delight and joy from my affiliation with all of you and it’s very difficult to let the work go as I so believe in it. Still, I know it’s for the best.
Going forward, I would be pleased to continue to participate in the Network in a volunteer capacity after things shake out for me and when the needs of the council become apparent. I will look forward to re-entering the world of the Network in a new role when the time is right.
Meanwhile, I am off to mend my nets and hopefully focus my efforts in a more singular fashion. It’s my great wish that there will be a great haul of goodness for us all.. Thank you for letting me keep my hand on the Network tiller for this past year. It’s been a true joy working with you all.
With gratitude,
Deb
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