Taking the Day Off
my classroom and its ghosts
The last day of school was bittersweet. As soon as we saluted the flag in the cafetorium with the entire student body singing You’re A Grand Old Flag, I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep it together and the tears began to stream.
Yes, it was a bittersweet leaving with some of my students clinging to my waist to say Goodbye–leaving them is a stage I don’t care to act again.
I felt honored by the kind words from my colleagues, comforted by all the hugs and well-wishes and blown-away by those who said, “I love you.”
Yes, I shall miss the camaraderie that comes with the daily grind, will miss the smiles from my students who are genuinely pleased to see me every day, will even miss the routine I’ve perfected over the years: coffee and breakfast from Dapper G, email from the principal, being lesson-ready–forever planning and preparing, correcting papers, communicating with parents, creating new lessons, reading new books, closing out the day . . .
But now I will have a new routine. I’m not certain what it will be as of yet, but the excitement is like embarking on an adventure, like getting ready for travel, like learning something new. Whatever it will be–I will be prepared!
Acrostic lines I chose from the many:
Miss Doeblyey is awesome
Reely nice
She is the best helper in the world
Does alot of work
Oh she is outstanding
Every day she is beautiful
Being nice and helping us with work
Love her teaching
Every day we learn English
You are the best and we wont forgetabout you
Daily Gratitude: the color of my phlox ‘Starfire’, a gray-cloudy day to paint, kind words to carry me through my days,
A special hug to Kathy at Pocket Perspectives who retired from teaching this week.
Quote of the Day for YOU: Sometimes it’s important to work for that pot of gold. But other times it’s essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow. ~Douglas Pagels, These Are the Gifts I’d Like to Give to You
© Teresita Abad Doebley All rights reserved 2009-2012.
Related articles
- bittersweet farewell (somethingwrite.wordpress.com)
- http://financewithchocolatesauce.com/2012/06/14/have-a-happy-retirement/
- http://theretiringsort.com/
Beautiful image, perfect for this post. Wishing you all the best on your new routine and adventures. 🙂
It’s a photo that so clearly denotes the idea of transition. Beautifully done.
Yes, Vanyieck, with the shades drawn and the newspaper covering all the bookcases–it’s not the end–it’s just a transition as you said!!
When I read this fine post accompanied by the picture of the classroom, I immediately thought about a much younger Self. I can only speak as a student, teachers mean the world and equally make the world what it is- what it can be! Just remember, “stay golden”. 😀
Alvin–thanks, Ponyboy!
I so remember those days and especially my last …Bittersweet…but, so pleased I had a job I could say I loved…and be proud of…I miss at times…and so will you…but, the enormity of the new world that opens up is so outstanding…ENJOY! ~mkg
Marily–right now I’m feeling a bit sentimental over the leaving, but your words are encouraging. I’m sure I’ll realize the enormity of it all in September! 🙂
Congratulations! I’m reminded that each sunset is a sunrise to another location, and both can be beautiful. 🙂
Kind words, Ted. It reminds me to stay positive and not be sad about the transition. Hey, are you safe from the fires where you are?
What a journey… May your next venture be rich and filled with blessings! Kudos! 🙂
Wow, out of the mouths of babes, indeed. Well, rest assured that your gift of teaching transcends a classroom. I would know.
To paraphrase: How lucky you are to have a career so special that you will miss and be missed! …and there is a teacher somewhere longing for a job!
I remember well tHat excitement! Enjoy it and I can’t wait to share all those new adventures!
I love this photo – love the play of light and shadow on the desks, and love the feeling it evokes of endings.
Lisa–to avoid laziness or being a total sloth which could happen (:)) I think I’ll buy a dry-erase calendar for the fridge!
What a wonderful send off for what must have been a fulfilling and worthwhile career. It’s also great that you have excitement for future plans. I can’t wait to learn what direction they take. All the very best!
Thanks, Meanderer. Tucking the alarm clock in the drawer for vacations!
ps…giving copies of this book to Tony’s mom and a one page version to all the teachers… Good Things http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD-x8HrM2Yo&feature=plcp And I gave one pages copies of these to teachers too Creating Ripples too… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhDhQBqBSSo Oh, I’d better go to school…
I’m just about to leave the house for my last day with the kids…tears flowing down my cheeks. I just picked a lupine for the mom of a boy I’ve working very closely with for the past 5 years…went from non talking, (neither English nor Vietnamese, the family language) non reading to…now….a normal 5th grade boy…on grade level in everything, social, fun, wonderful….and so a good by to him too…he goes to middle school…I was waiting to retire til he moved on. And so lupines…Miss Rumphius..a glorious inspiration. I’m giving the flower and some seed pods to Tony’s mom…she doesn’t speak much English…they came from Vietnam…but she and I have deep and abiding affection for each other….Oh…how am I going to say good bye???? And the 2nd graders keep popping in full of laughter and smiles and hellos….so remarkably wonderful kids…so, I guess I’d better go to school…. oh dear, it;s going to be much harder thank I thought it would be….thinking of you too…. Kathy
Kathy,
I cried reading your comment. It’s hard to let go especially since we are so much a part of their lives. Feel the big hug coming your way. Talk to you later . . .
well, it was a special day…a few tears, but special. Now I’m a bit quietly “frozen”…and tomorrow a staff breakfast…and then new beginnings…how odd, to not be teaching…how very very odd…but of course, maybe I will…wishing you well..thank you for that big hug…
I wish you joy as you enter a new stage of your life. How wonderful to be able to look back and know that you have touched so many young souls, and helped them along their paths to the future. May your future be blessed with new and wonderful adventures.