Adteacher

The final day's post for my school blog consisted of the last words to the Beatles' song "The End". The Beatles said it best. It seems like the best of all possible ways for me to close the studio door on a career full of really great moments and a few very sad ones too, just like in real life. Because it is real life. Public school in Texas has been my job for over 20 years, and I need to once and for all GRADUATE. I think the people parts of a school job are what makes the job quite interesting. "...and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." I have truly loved the "day-to-day" part of working in education...up until I realized how many other important things are still left undone in my life. I have lots that I still want to do and an undisclosed amount of time in which to do them. The very sudden and unexpected death of my younger brother at the age of 55 brought this home to me in a tragic and inordinately...

All this school year, I have looked with extreme anticipation toward the last week in May, first part of June. I have relished retirement at this age, and at this stage of my life. I will have my first official day of "retirement" on Friday of this week, and it is already Tuesday. That means I only have three more days of schedule that is beyond my control, and that makes me very happy. The only part of retirement that is a bit scary is a bit that I talk with my students about all the time. Intrinsic motivation. What that means for me is to create a personal schedule that includes all of the things that are of particular importance to me. Some, but not all, of those things? My parents , who are aging (quite well, fortunately) beyond the age of 80 this year. They need more of my personal attention. My grandchildren , who are growing up - they take so much time and energy and in return give boundless love and inspiration. My husband , whom I treasure. We ne...