For those who know me and who know the story behind T.C. Hall Leather, you'll know that for the last few years, leather craft has been a background accessory to my full time job, teaching high school English. I taught for seven years, ranging from 5th grade to 12th. It has been the opportunity of a lifetime, and the impact of learning from, and with, over 1,000 students leaves me in awe. I'm sure it always will. This year, while considering a buffet of other impending life changes, I decided to leave the classroom. This was not an easy choice; I have been involved in the Texas public school system for years, first through my family, and then as my profession. My mother even has a local school named in her honor.
The reasons for this seismic change in my plans are many, and contrived, but life is messy like that. All this to say, as of Fall 2022, I am now working in leather full time! I have never been entirely self-employed, and as many of my small business friends will say, it can be pretty scary! But I have a wonderful, supportive wife and a loving family (our dog, Belle, included). One thing is for certain: I will always be a teacher. Already, I offer group classes for designing leather bracelets, and I only see myself expanding this educational angle of my business. The drive to learn is not a force confined to a classroom, nor is it necessarily as formalized as Scantrons and lined paper might lead you to believe. Learning is a lifestyle, a passion, a driving force.
As the holidays approach, I find myself in awe of the task ahead, beginning to categorize this new life, with new demands, and excitement, and freedom. I am struck by the grace that I have been shown by complete strangers and the encouragement from old friends. I know that the future holds wonderful things, and I thank you all for pushing me to achieve them.
-Thomas