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The Final Days
Another school year is over. On Friday students will pick up their report cards and wave goodbye to their teachers. Seniors around the area might have graduation rehearsal. There are a lot of plans for a lot of parties this weekend.
This week will mark the second year anniversary of my retirement. In some ways I have missed being an active teacher instead of a retired teacher. In more ways I've missed the people I worked with. Work five times a week for 20 or 30 years in the same hallway with the same people and they become a big part of your life.
Over the last five years or so my teaching roommate was Chris Hartmann. Our paths crossed all day. I was on the committee that hired him and I had no doubts that he would be an outstanding teacher. He inherited "Foxy's Den" when I retired, and he's kind enough to have a picture of me in his classroom.
He had better watch out, though, because, as I found out, the years flash by quickly. Someday "Hartmann's Haven," or whatever he might now call it, will take on a new name.
I have missed guys like Hartmann, Cutaiar, Nisoff, Goodell, Lavalley, Rabideau, Gottlob, although sometimes our paths do cross. And the ladies like Gale Carroll, Teresa Niles, Sheila Wilson. I can almost hear their laughter as they all now look forward to summer vacation. Oh, those two months were special. When I was teaching I tried to pack as much as I could into those two months.
I really never thought about retirement during those years of teaching. I was just so happy teaching and having so much fun that I thought I might teach until I was 70 or so. But then I started talking with the retired guys like Sal Righi and Paul Dingman and John Pelkey and Skip Zatonski and I just couldn't believe how relaxed they looked and how happy they were to be "not working."
And how right they were! All my teacher friends that are looking forward to their two months of fun -- just imagine a lifetime of that! 35 years of teaching went by in a hurry. Enjoy July and August, but keep in mind that someday January till December will be all yours!
Comments
Hey Foxy,
Well, I thought I'd never see Stafford again. We now live in the Peru School District (Cliff Haven) and my son is going to be a junior there next year. How did that happen so fast? My daughter, Amanda, has been going to Momot. I was hoping against hope she would want to attend Stafford. For a long time she wanted to go back to Peru but has decided on Stafford. Yes! I'm so happy! She'll be in 6th grade there next year and maybe I'll see you in the hallway (again) if you're subbing. I certainly hope so. Take care.
Posted by: Rebecca Leonard | June 24, 2007 5:14 PM
Foxy, I am glad you miss teaching, but also enjoying retirement. I am sure the sports programs, and this blog, fill a void, and still keep you in touch with students and fellow teachers alike.
Again, as many times you have since you started your Blog, the name John Pelkey, flashed back to my days at Beekmantown, as one of his students many many years ago!!
The students here in Osceola, Wi. graduated back on May 18th, and school was finished June 2nd. They do things a little different out here!! It seemed ironic, my stepson, who will be a Junior this fall, was at Football camp this past week, and really looking forward to Football practice, the end of July!!! To everyone, including all the students in the North Country, have a wonderful summer. Dang it, just got a craving for a michigan!!!!!
(Foxy's note: Next time you are in the North Country, sparcat, the michigans are on me!)
Posted by: sparcat | June 22, 2007 7:45 AM
Hi Foxy....
Yes! We're all looking forward to a wonderful summer! I was just talking about you the other day and remembering your VERY famous rendition of "Casey at the Bat". I figure about 3000 students have that fond memory of you with your Dodger shirt and your bat, ball, glove and hat. I miss hearing it, and baseball season just isn't quite the same without your very dramatic delivery of that wonderful poem. Think of us tomorrow as another group of 8th graders "move up". There will be lots of laughter and probably a few tears, too as the kids prepare to leave Stafford..... the "UNIQUE" place to be! Maybe you'd like to stop by and share the moment. We'd love to see you!
Gale
(Foxy's note: Thanks for the invitation, Gale.)
Posted by: Gale Carroll | June 21, 2007 11:58 PM
Fox, the kids' loss of you as their teacher is our gain to share your humor, insight , and remembrance of days past and things present.
Your former students , colleagues, and friends are still learning from your insightful commentary.
You haven't retired just refitted.
Skip
(Foxy's note: Thanks, Skip -- hope to see you later today!)
Posted by: skip zatonski | June 21, 2007 7:36 AM
Wow!!!! seems like not too long ago i remember all of you wonderful teachers... it's not the same when i was into the stafford middle school so much has changed throughout the years....class of "2005""" rocks!!!!!
Posted by: jenn decarlo | June 21, 2007 12:18 AM