Yesterday morning's local paper had an item about the school I taught in here. They had received an award for a special program they had participated in.
This item started numbers running through my head. I taught in the school for 28 years. It was a very good school as the district was supportive of education and most kids came to school with the right attitude. Over the years we had 400 to 550 students. Sometimes we were a very good school and other times not. It depended on stars to align like administration, students, teachers and program.
I had no intention of staying in one school that long. I applied for transfers but didn't get anything nearly as good as what I had. So 28 years rolled by before I knew it.
The next number was 26. That's the number of years I've been retired. My retirement time is almost as long as the time I taught in the school.
The next number is37. That's the number of years I taught.
So the numbers have rolled along very quickly.
I enjoyed my teaching time. Who would have a sad time in retirement. If things go a little faster, my retirement will be as long as my teaching time.
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Cute all the way through! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeletePictures cover up the details!
DeleteI can't imagine teaching at that level. I'd lack patience.
ReplyDeletethere are days it was stressful but that happens no matter what you do.
DeleteWorking with children is so fulfilling, despite the occasional difficulties. I went for a short-term fill-in job in a residential school for children with disabilities and was still there when I retired 23 years later.
ReplyDeleteIt takes very special people to work with kids with disabilities.
DeleteYou were very fortunate to work in a school that was not too big.
ReplyDeleteWell for middle schools here it was a good size.
DeleteI shudder at the thought of teaching kids for 37 years. But I certainly appreciate those great teachers who taught me.
ReplyDeleteThe job assignments changed over the years so it was always interesting.
DeleteI am also making progress in that direction
ReplyDeleteIt happens in a hurry.
DeleteGreat photos. That class photo from 1958 is priceless. Oh to have a photo of that group now…
ReplyDeleteA photo would be interesting. I was 18 years old and the oldest boy was 14.
DeleteYes, it's amazing how time flies. I like that last picture very much. What a handsome guy!
ReplyDeletePictures don't tell the whole story.
DeleteThank you for working as a teacher, Red. Good teachers are so important!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed my time and would do it over in a heart beat.
DeleteInteresting things numbers aren't they and when looked back on they seem so unreal. 71 years since my first very happy marriage; 40 years since I retired from teaching with early retirement, 30 years since my second very happy marriage and now 6 years since my dear farmer died. Sometimes it all seems like yesterday, other times almost another life altogether. Time is such a strange bedfellow.
ReplyDeleteand time can play tricks on us. You have a very happy life and it makes time pass as we don't notice it.
DeleteLove seeing these old photos of you, Red. It's so wonderful that you chose to be a teacher, and those all those students were so lucky to have you.
ReplyDeleteMy choice as a 17 year old was tentative. I didn't really know what I wanted to do.
DeleteNice old photos. I wonder what thosestudents are doing now.
ReplyDeleteWell they'll all be retired. They will range in age from 71 to 79 and I don't know how many have passed away.
DeleteTime flies, doesn't it? Funny to think you've been retired almost as long as you taught in your local school!
ReplyDeleteI found comparing those numbers interesting. I hadn't really thought about it.
DeleteCongrats on a long successful career and great you continue to enjoy your retirement!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Sometimes it couldn't be described as successful.
DeleteI am always startled when I realize how long I have been retired from teaching.
ReplyDeleteIt is starling and some what unreal.
DeleteLet me join Ellen D and thank you for your teaching career, Red. Good teachers gave me not only their knowledge but often their good example as well. And some of them, as I grew older, became my friends too. You will never know the full impact you had on the many kids you taught over the years.
ReplyDeleteYes, you never know the full impact. I stayed in the same community and see former students who are great leaders.
DeleteI suspect no one would challenge that teacher in the first picture! ;^/
ReplyDeleteI was at my highest weight ever in that photo so a little bulky.
DeleteI taught for 35 years.
ReplyDeleteYou know the drill. some days were good and some awful. I think you did many field trips. I taught some outdoor ed and that was a challenge but well worth it.
DeleteI'm sure you touched a lot of lives in those 28 years!. Thanks for your service in this all too important field!
ReplyDeleteYou had a butch hair cut! At least that is what we called them back in the late50's:) Thanks for being a teacher!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos and memories. Good teachers are so important. The years go by way too fast for me. Take care, enjoy your day and the new week!
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting journey! The years go by so quickly.
ReplyDeleteHi Red, Another neat post. As for things going a little faster … if your experience is anything like mine, the time between 26 and 37 will go by before you know it. John
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your photos and memories Red. Wish I had you as a teacher!
ReplyDeleteI have been surprised that time has seemed to roll along even more quickly now that I have retired. I hope to enjoy 27 years of retirement
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you're the Mr. Klein I remember in junior high, but if you are the same one, do you remember a tea house that your class organized for the fundraising night in 1976ish? My friend and I were in charge of moving the tea cups to the classroom for the tea house and it tipped over, sending what seemed like a million tea cups flying. I still remember that and still feel bad about it, obviously we were going too fast. I did enjoy the whole fundraising night though.
ReplyDeleteI probably wasn't a very attentive student and I apologize for that, it wasn't you. I spent most of my time inside of my head, daydreaming.
I got your reply today and the name Debbie Russel totally escaped me and then I remembered what you said about being quiet and it came back to me. Some quiet kids would give you the message, "I'll be good and do all my work but leave me a lone. the quiet kids are hard to remember. However , I'm sorry, I did lose your message. I thought I had my email address on my blog but I see it's not there. My email address is reddkline@gmail.com
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