Teach Them How to Say Goodbye
At the beginning of the year, I was given the task (due February 21) of writing for the district blog about my retirement. It’s February 19 and I’ve just started to work on it. Writing a blog is not my thing. (Actually, I’m being held against my will until this is finished. I’m not even the one typing this.)
But seriously, I don’t know what to write about retiring that would be very interesting to most of you. I’ve gotten some suggestions from co-workers, so I’ll start with those.
- Write about what I’ll do when I’m retired: I’m going to wake up, have breakfast, do some retired-person stuff, have lunch, eat a Kit Kat, do some more stuff, have dinner, stay up past my bedtime reading, go to sleep, wake up, . . . .
- Write about my reflections on teaching for over 30 years: I learned a lot, I laughed a lot, I cried a little.
- Write about changes I’ve seen since I started teaching: more paperwork, no more smoke in the teachers’ lounge, no more mimeograph machines.
- Write something funny: Clemenza. (Sorry, this will only be funny to Lunch B)
- Put in a bunch of pictures so I won’t have to write as much.
- Write about my students: I haven’t had as many students as most teachers given the nature of my job (special education). I see students in the Resource Room at their frustrated worst and their sweetest and funniest best. All the students I’ve worked with for the past 30 plus years have helped to make me the person and teacher I am today, and they are what I’ll miss most when I retire.
To all my co-workers: I haven’t forgotten about you. I will say my heartfelt goodbyes in person.
- Carol Kuhlman, Special Education Teacher