Editor's Note: As this year folds into the next, we are prompted to zoom out on the days, weeks, years, and decades that compose our lives. With lessons from a 40-year teaching career, a call for outdoor classrooms, and a commencement speech on a wholehearted life -- these pieces offer insight into the lessons that linger, and how our intentions fuel the ways we live and learn. --Daniela

Molly Pollak was a middle and high school teacher. When she retired this year, former students gave her a book filled with their letters. It reads like a textbook for great teaching.

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"A polluted stream enlivens a biology lesson; a pristine sunset inspires reflection on a piece of literature". One head of school explains why the outdoors is one of the "most persuasive teaching tools in the educator's toolbox."

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Parker Palmer's commencement speech inspires 6 lightposts for a fully lived life. The first-- be reckless in matters of the heart: "Fall madly in love with life. Be passionate about some part of the natural and/or human worlds and take risks on its behalf, no matter how vulnerable they make you."

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Be The Change Idea

Be completely honest in all your interactions today. Notice how your students and colleagues, friends and family respond.