I was born a twin and my mother already had a 22-month-old, so she was raising three children under the age of two. When people found this out, they often expressed how sorry they were for her. They tried to connect with her about how hard her life must be. But she loved us all and these questions deprived her of the opportunity to share her joy at being a loving mother of three baby boys.

I think of this lately when I share with people that I am on the School Committee. People share their sympathy with me and talk about what a thankless job it is. But actually many people do thank me for my service in this job. And, though the job is difficult at times, it’s also very satisfying. I’ve built lasting friendships on the committee, I’ve learned a lot, and I feel I am having an impact on my community. Many people support me, have voted for me, and have helped me with my work. It’s a good job that has introduced me to many wonderful people trying to make our schools an even better place to learn.

If anyone ever encourages you to run for office, don’t just think about the time commitment, the late-night meetings, or the potential for public criticism. Think about the connections, the opportunities for learning, and the opportunity to make a difference.

Glenn Johnson-Mussad

Greenfield