The End Of The School Year

“Well the dawn was coming,heard him ringing on my bell.

He said, ``My name's the teacher,that is what I call myself.

And I have a lesson

that I must impart to you.

It's an old expression

but I must insist it's true.

Jump up, look around,

find yourself some fun,

no sense in sitting there hating everyone.

No man's an island and his castle isn't home,

the nest is for nothing when the bird has flown.''
--Ian Anderson of the band Jethro Tull, from the son “Teacher” from the album Living In The Past, 1972.

Well, this year offered a great graduation. This year’s seniors were impressive. One of my favorite foreign exchange students “Ang” was a delight to have in class. Ang is from Thailand. She told me that I was her favorite teacher, ever. This young lady has traveled to over fifteen countries in her life and been enrolled in numerous schools. She is highly intelligent and motivated. Her comments are a compliment to be sure.

Equally complimentary were the words of one of my former students. Pontiac’s Daily Leader (the local newspaper) features a former PTHS/Livingston County Illinois student every Saturday. Last week Neil Radke, former student, now teacher said this about me: ” He fondly remembers being in plays at PTHS with Tom Ramseyer and Eric Sweetwood. According to Radtke, Sweetwood lives on in the classroom of Klondike Middle School. “The reason why I became a teacher was I wanted to bring to my classes what he brought to his classes.”

How can I read that and not be moved.

I have long regarded myself as making a small impact in my own way. When such things are validated, it makes one wonder about the impact of how we all can make a difference in one another’s lives. I firmly believe that Neil would be a great teacher with or without the benefit of being a student of mine. He had a gifted sense of knowledge and an acceptance of others that rivals us all. He was articulate, positive, and very willing to help others—all a formula for a successful educator. Neil loves life and is more than willing to share that with others, which is something we share.

Each year I feel a kinship with the graduating class. Each year, I enjoy my job more and more.

Some folks often wonder whether they have chosen the proper career or not. I know I did and I will rest on those laurels for the next twelve years or so. I honesty believe I am doing exactly what I was meant to do.

The lesson is over for this year. This teacher says “class dismissed.”