Sign Of Appreciation

I decided I didn't want to work so hard and told one of the colleges I won't be back in the spring.  I was only there one semester and still, I got this e-mail:

Dear POd,

Thank you for the  XX file, your service to our department this semester, and also for the gifts for Bette and her daughter.

If I don't see you... happy Hanukkah and happy 2012!  It was a pleasure having you as a colleague.  Please keep in touch and let us know if you wish to teach again at YYY College in the future.

Take Care - Dept Supervisor

I left Packemin after 27 years and got this:













Don't see anything?  Neither do I.

Advice From the Sunset Of My Career

Hi!!! Ms.POd. I got a 5!!! on my BC calculus test. I still cannot believe it since I messed up many questions.

You always believed in me. Thank you so much :D . I probably can take multi variable this fall, which I greatly looking forward to.

I just got this e-mail from a boy a certain individual would not let take trigonometry and pre-calculus together.  This boy studied trig on his own last summer, got a 98 on the regents and had a "friend from above" get him into the BC class.

 

I have been reflecting on my career and trying to figure out exactly what I did right over the years.  I'm not that smart, I'm not organized and I don't always have the best classroom management.  And then, I started reading over the comments the kids wrote in the book I gave them during my last few days. 

 

I am posting some of the words and expressions here, not to brag but to give advice to new teachers.  Words from the kids, not from the administration.  Words, not added value data.

1.  Encouraging me even though I didn't do so good in your class

2.  Enthusiastic

3.  Caring

4.  Giving

5.  Believed in me

6.  Never give up on me

7.  Sympathetic

8.  Strong

9.  Outrageous

10.  Passionate

11.  Making a hard class into a fun one and an easier one

12.  There was never a moment you made me feel lower than anyone

13.  You pushed me to pay attention

14.  You gave me confidence

15.  Even when we didn't believe in ourselves you fought hard to make us believe.

16.  You never gave up

And my favorite:

17.  You are like the teachers you see in movies. When the kids give up and you still have faith.

 

Purging

Spent my first morning as a retiree purging.  I finally cleaned out the bookshelf and got rid of all the old lesson plans and worksheets I will never use again.

While cleaning, I found some great cards and letters from former students.  I usually hide them after I read them because finding them years later reminds me of the good I've done over my long career and we all need reminding and appreciation once in a while.