It’s my last day, officially retiring from full time teaching, but I continue to have conversations with my colleagues and how educators can get support for their ideas and activities.
One colleague spoke about programming yesterday; he has an interest in increasing the interest in certain components of the larger program. I responded by saying that you need to look beyond the individual program in isolation. The administration is interested in cross-curricular ideas, where more than one subject area combine to offer multiple experiences for our students. It’s the way the world works today! Later that same day, two additional colleagues in the arts described their intention to combine and work together on a particular project. Again, I mentioned to the two teacher friends that they are encouraged to take note about the school Principal and where he is supporting certain full school initiatives. I continued to offer that it’s wonderful that you two teachers are promoting this project, but begin now at this time of the year, let the school Principal know that you are planning this new idea and show how it connects to the project initiated by the School Principal. These types of collaborations will almost guarantee your success, in my opinion. Your vision has to be broader and greater in depth, to go beyond the single-subject area. Also, today, the big push is how you incorporate technology into your subject discipline.
For example, the music department should work together with multi-media (tech / communications department), to develop projects that involve many pieces. This type of project is exciting, it’s valuable and current with what is happening in the world. Offer your students challenging, creative projects that involve collaboration and can be tied to many subject areas across the curriculum and you will most certainly guarantee agreement to support.
Bye for now.
Friday, 29 June 2018
Thursday, 28 June 2018
Tomorrow is my last day at Saint Elizabeth CHS
Tomorrow is my last day in full time teaching! Last week, a colleague of mine, in the music department: Stacey, arranged a wonderful party at a local pub. Many of my teaching friends attended, and also personal friends and my accordion teachers! It was lovely afternoon and evening, spent outside, on the patio. Also, a former student of mine: Anthony, provided live music on keyboard, with Bosco and Dave. I brought my accordion and played a few tunes. Later, that same evening, a few people stayed and we continued to celebrate, with me playing some tunes every half hour! Ernie drove me home.
How do I feel now that I have arrived to the last day? I feel good, somewhat sad, but generally very happy. Many students have offered me cards, gifts, wonderful comments, and cake. One former student, who is now a teacher in high school, dropped in unexpectedly yesterday to bring a book-gift, which included comments typed from former students she was in contact with.
Today was Graduation. The school Principal has provided refreshments before and after the graduation, so I really enjoy attending. This year, I was not responsible for arranging music, so I was able to attend both the pre-grad refreshments and post-grad refreshments.
I have been busy cleaning-up at school and tomorrow I submit my keys. As I shared with a colleague today at Graduation, it’s a normal conclusion to the school year so I really do not feel any different. I suppose this coming September will feel different. Let’s wait and see!
This is the first entry after the printing of Blog entries, in all three of the Blogs I contribute to. I have collected the entries and coiled the pages into three sections at Staples Business Depot.
It will be a nice read over the summer, admiring the collection. Maybe in 5 years, I will consider doing the same thing.
How do I feel now that I have arrived to the last day? I feel good, somewhat sad, but generally very happy. Many students have offered me cards, gifts, wonderful comments, and cake. One former student, who is now a teacher in high school, dropped in unexpectedly yesterday to bring a book-gift, which included comments typed from former students she was in contact with.
Today was Graduation. The school Principal has provided refreshments before and after the graduation, so I really enjoy attending. This year, I was not responsible for arranging music, so I was able to attend both the pre-grad refreshments and post-grad refreshments.
I have been busy cleaning-up at school and tomorrow I submit my keys. As I shared with a colleague today at Graduation, it’s a normal conclusion to the school year so I really do not feel any different. I suppose this coming September will feel different. Let’s wait and see!
This is the first entry after the printing of Blog entries, in all three of the Blogs I contribute to. I have collected the entries and coiled the pages into three sections at Staples Business Depot.
It will be a nice read over the summer, admiring the collection. Maybe in 5 years, I will consider doing the same thing.
Monday, 18 June 2018
Preparing for retirement from teaching
It’s been very busy lately: preparing documents for retirement; clean-up resources and personals at school; preparing files to share with colleagues; in addition to all the family activities: today, my daughter finalized the purchase of a home! My youngest daughter is currently flying from home to a beautiful destination for a holiday-break. Just last week, we celebrated a wedding shower; and two weeks before the shower date, we celebrated a gentlemen’s party for Daniel. Soon, we celebrate a 95th birthday party for my mom, followed a week later (for my nephew) a “stag-and-doh”. Add the above to the playing I am doing - and wow, it’s busy.
This week Stacey Mansell, with the help of arts department colleagues are arranging a party for me, to celebrate my retirement. I am pleased and also sad to go. I plan to bring my accordion to play a bit at this party. It’s my way to say thank-you. Last week, at the RAP Grad, I was giving flowers, and a few kind words were shared by Music Council president: Sierra Gazmen. This week, some additional cards and gifts have been given to me by students. Everyday, my colleagues, or secretarial staff members, or students share comments about my upcoming retirement. It’s an exciting time for me, but as mentioned already, it’s a sad time too. I have been teaching for many years, and it’s something that I have dedicated a lot of time to developing, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly!
I took teaching seriously. It was something I deeply cared about.
I decided about seeking retirement way back in November of 2017. I’ll probably remember this date easily because it was the day after Wayne Hill’s funeral, on a Friday. And, the next day, Saturday, I was attending a musical rehearsal at school, in the morning, “Bah_humbug”. While driving to St. Elizabeth, the idea about Music Alive festival enters my mind. It was this last Saturday of November that began my new journey. Over the next few months, the necessary steps, conversations, paperwork, applications, reference letters, and meetings would take place.
About a month ago, I was looking ahead at how far-away the final day of school was: 40 days. And now, it’s two weeks away!!!!! There is still so much work to accomplish at school before I officially leave, submit my keys, and say good-bye to teaching. Although I am sad, I feel that I am ready. Three years ago, I resigned from the Arts Headship at school. I did not have any regrets about that decision. I was ready for that change. Today, I feel that I am ready for this next chapter in my life. As I look back on my career, I feel a sense of gratitude and appreciation for having enjoyed so much joy in this teaching career. I was, and still am very blessed.
Bye for now.
This week Stacey Mansell, with the help of arts department colleagues are arranging a party for me, to celebrate my retirement. I am pleased and also sad to go. I plan to bring my accordion to play a bit at this party. It’s my way to say thank-you. Last week, at the RAP Grad, I was giving flowers, and a few kind words were shared by Music Council president: Sierra Gazmen. This week, some additional cards and gifts have been given to me by students. Everyday, my colleagues, or secretarial staff members, or students share comments about my upcoming retirement. It’s an exciting time for me, but as mentioned already, it’s a sad time too. I have been teaching for many years, and it’s something that I have dedicated a lot of time to developing, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly!
I took teaching seriously. It was something I deeply cared about.
I decided about seeking retirement way back in November of 2017. I’ll probably remember this date easily because it was the day after Wayne Hill’s funeral, on a Friday. And, the next day, Saturday, I was attending a musical rehearsal at school, in the morning, “Bah_humbug”. While driving to St. Elizabeth, the idea about Music Alive festival enters my mind. It was this last Saturday of November that began my new journey. Over the next few months, the necessary steps, conversations, paperwork, applications, reference letters, and meetings would take place.
About a month ago, I was looking ahead at how far-away the final day of school was: 40 days. And now, it’s two weeks away!!!!! There is still so much work to accomplish at school before I officially leave, submit my keys, and say good-bye to teaching. Although I am sad, I feel that I am ready. Three years ago, I resigned from the Arts Headship at school. I did not have any regrets about that decision. I was ready for that change. Today, I feel that I am ready for this next chapter in my life. As I look back on my career, I feel a sense of gratitude and appreciation for having enjoyed so much joy in this teaching career. I was, and still am very blessed.
Bye for now.
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