Peter Greene has made a list of the 12 things he intends to do this year. They are not exactly resolutions, which are like saying “I will lose 10 pounds and stop smoking,” nor are they wishes, that depend on what someone else does. They are intentions: This is what I will do.

We can all resonate to his intentions. I did.

For example:

1) Be present and pay attention. It is easy to get wrapped up in the To Do List of the classroom teacher. Well, easy for me, anyway. But our students need to be present and paying attention, to hear what they say and see who they are even when they aren’t explicitly trying to be seen and heard. Nothing that I do in a classroom is more important than finding the connection to each student.

2) Do not wait for someone else to stand up. Do not count on someone else to advocate for what I care about. Do not leave it to someone else to call a Congressperson or a state official about the issues that matter. Especially don’t say, “That’s what I pay union dues for. They can handle it.” Call. Write. Speak up. Stand up…

6) Be honest. There isn’t anything more important. Even if it bothers members of your own tribe. Even if it isn’t what was true to you yesterday. Even if you are afraid to be seen by those who may strike back….

9) Value people. Value people. Value people. Money and power and privilege are only important insofar as they help you take care of other people. The circumstances of your life, particularly the circumstances of your profession, have put a whole bunch of people right in your path. Start by looking out for them.

10) Advocate for what you want, not what you don’t want. You already know this from the classroom– it is infinitely more useful to tell a student what you want him to do instead of what you want him not to do.

11) Always say what you mean, and say it like you really mean it. Never stop considering the possibility that you may need to change your mind.

12) Never let tradition, authority, systems, habit, or other people’s power substitute for using your best fresh judgment. Start the question from scratch; if you were in the right place before, you’ll be lead right there again. Don’t just grab last year’s unit plan– ask yourself how you, right now, would teach that unit. And always make sure your best fresh judgment includes consideration of the ideas and words of other smart people.