Summer 2007 Table of Contents
Versión Español de este artículo (Spanish Version)

My Transition

by Phil Hatlen, Superintendent, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Abstract: Dr. Phil Hatlen writes his final column upon retiring as Superintendent of the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Keywords: News & Views, Superintendent, retirement, farewell

I’m a native of California, and had never lived anywhere else. But the prospect of working at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired was so attractive that my family and I moved from San Francisco to Austin in the summer of 1990, and a new and exciting adventure began. I have been an educator of blind and visually impaired students all of my adult life, but until my arrival in Austin, I had never been Superintendent of a school for the blind, a position I wanted very much before I retired.

Photo of a smiling Phil Hatlen I can’t begin to describe the next 17 years of my life. I have become acquainted with beautiful and endearing children. I have met amazing parents. And I realized soon after I arrived in Austin that the staff of TSBVI were (and are) exceptional in their dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm. There are wonderful and passionate professionals in education of the visually impaired all over this state. I have shared a journey with all of you that has been the highlight of my professional life.

I learned a lot of lessons along the way, including:

I had a lot to learn about personnel management.
I had a lot to learn about financial management.
I learned a lot about working with the State Legislature.
I learned to get out of the way of creative, imaginative, energetic staff.
I continued to learn about how much more parents know about their children than we will ever know.
I learned that too many new ideas at once tend to confuse and discourage staff.
I learned that I’m fairly good at broad strokes, but that I need help in the details.
It was verified to me that there are a lot of people on the TSBVI staff that are smarter and more creative than me.
I learned that everyone—nurses, food service workers, teachers, maintenance workers, residential instructors, administrators, etc.—everyone who works at TSBVI is dedicated to the needs of students.
I learned that the Superintendent sets a climate for the entire school.

What a time this has been!!

On August 17, 2007, I will retire from TSBVI. A lot of factors went into this decision, and it surely wasn’t an easy one to make. While I will be leaving TSBVI, I will not be leaving my profession. I have several national projects in mind that will occupy my time for many more years. But I also intend to travel more, read more, and sleep late more often.

Thanks to all of you for the richness you have brought to my life for the past 17 years. The following quote from Helen Keller applies to me as well as her:

When I recollect the
treasure of friendship
that has been bestowed
upon me I withdraw all
charges against life.
If much has been denied me,
much, very much has
been given.
So long as the memory
of certain beloved friends
lives in my heart I shall
say that life is good.

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Last Revision: October 8, 2007