The voice of negativity can be so loud, distracting us from what’s life-giving and nourishing. I’m over it.

Redwood aims to be a place where people are loud about goodness, where successes are delighted in and obstacles overcome are celebrated. That’s the kind of setting where I want to work and the kind of community I want to belong to; when my partner and I were building Redwood Literacy, it was a priority to create an environment steeped in positive thinking.

A few years ago, I heard the term “joymonger.” While fearmongering gives rise to unease and panic – who needs it? – a joymonger spreads gladness, warmth, and gratefulness.

Looking back at the 23/24 school year, it’s in a spirit of deep gratitude that I want to share a very special joymonger with you all.

We asked our instructors to describe some of the year’s highlights, and here’s what they said…