Deborah Hohn TonguisNew Orleans, Louisiana

…because all I ever wanted to be

was a junior highclassroom

TEACHER.

I was seeking a Master of Arts degree…

but I got a lot more than just an education.

…someone asked me to envision my future.

For the first time in my life…

“Discovering who you are is the only

JOB you have…

and GOD

will find a way

to pay you to be

YOURSELF.” ~Ray Rood

I was asked to see my life…

…one decade at a time.

1985 1995 2005 2015 2025 2035 2045

What I saw clarified the course of my career…

…and changed my life.

This is what I saw… A move back to Louisiana

A marriage to a tall man with light hair 2 children, a girl and a boy

A job teaching in higher education A home in a suburban community

Opportunities to teach younger students Teacher leadership positions

Participation in state level work A published book

A doctorate Participation in change on a national level

Did what I see that day come true?

See for yourself…

I left California, in spite of 3 job offers there…

…and moved back to New Orleans, Louisiana.

I married Mike Tonguis, a 6’2” blonde.

Daughter Bethany is born Son Michael is born

I taught Developmental Reading and Writing to provisional freshmen at the

University of New Orleans for over 10 wonderful years

I moved out of the city and to a wooded suburb 24 miles north of New Orleans.

Freshman World Geography

I left Higher Ed and began teaching High School Social Sciences

Senior Psychology

Social Studies Department Head Curriculum Design Team Leader Freshman Coordinator New Teacher Mentor Staff Development Program

Facilitator Teacher In-Service Workshop

Facilitator

I took on campus leadership positions:

I was honored to be named the “2009 Louisiana Teacher of the Year”

I completed my first book…a gift to my fellow state teachers of the year.

I was honored alongside all of the state teachers in the White House Rose Garden

by President Obama

I was chosen for Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s

“Stimulus Package Money for Education” Committee

I participated in meetings with Dr. Jill Biden about National Standards and Standardized Testing.

I participated in the 2009 National Forum on Educational Policy

I served on “Race to the Top” Committee Meetings at Princeton University

I began my doctoral program…an Ed.D in Teacher Leadership

How did participating in a single strategic visioning exercise

in 1984allow me to clearly

SEE what was before me?

…because someone took the time to

ASK ME what I saw

in my future.