Sieze the day! That is my wish for Mr. McLaughlin, teacher extroadinaire, who retired yesterday, June 5th. I will miss his wisdom, good character and friendship. As one teacher stated, "I want to be just like him when I grow up." Mr. McLaughlin will be sorely missed for many reasons:
1. His whit.
2. His knowledge (he is a renaissance man, I hope he goes on Jeopardy)
3. His compassion (he truly cares about everyone)
4. His sincerity (he never waffles, never backstabs)
5. His commitment (always the first to arrive and the last to leave)
6. His fairness (to both staff and students alike)
As I tearfully say "farewell" to Mr. McLaughlin I know that in the coming years he will touch more lives with his kindness and generosity of spirit. That is what makes our parting a sweet sorrow.
I can't hold onto him forever, I must share him with the world and maybe the rest of the world will be a better place because of my willingness to share.
Mr. McLaughlin: CARPE DIEM!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The LAST DAY of SCHOOL!
Hooray! It's finally here! It's the last day of school! Celebration abounds through the halls and into the classrooms. I am giddy with excitement as all teachers because now the fun really begins.
Today the little darlings get a "bash" (party). This event fills an entire morning with dancing, singing, food, and yearbook signing. The bash is normally held outdoors, but, thanks to Mother Nature, the party will be moving inside. I have mixed feelings about the change of venue: first, how chaotic will it be having students roam the school in search of events? second, how am I supposed to begin my summer tan? The outdoor bash was a perfect opportunity for base tanning (or burning flesh).
Oops, I keep forgetting that it's not all about me!
After the students tearfully (sure!) leave the premises, we teachers will sigh with relief, or exasperation, because we now have to submit final grades (before 3:30) and clean our rooms (take down those posters and cover that technology!). This needs to be done today because tomorrow is filled with meetings, a retirement luncheon and (thanks to the compassion of the powers that be)a teacher relaxation afternoon.
So, we must work until work is done to reap the rewards of tomorrow. A small price to pay to have a long (?) summer vacation.
I hope that you will enjoy your summer.
This blog will be updated as I work with curriculum (whoopie!) this summer.
Today the little darlings get a "bash" (party). This event fills an entire morning with dancing, singing, food, and yearbook signing. The bash is normally held outdoors, but, thanks to Mother Nature, the party will be moving inside. I have mixed feelings about the change of venue: first, how chaotic will it be having students roam the school in search of events? second, how am I supposed to begin my summer tan? The outdoor bash was a perfect opportunity for base tanning (or burning flesh).
Oops, I keep forgetting that it's not all about me!
After the students tearfully (sure!) leave the premises, we teachers will sigh with relief, or exasperation, because we now have to submit final grades (before 3:30) and clean our rooms (take down those posters and cover that technology!). This needs to be done today because tomorrow is filled with meetings, a retirement luncheon and (thanks to the compassion of the powers that be)a teacher relaxation afternoon.
So, we must work until work is done to reap the rewards of tomorrow. A small price to pay to have a long (?) summer vacation.
I hope that you will enjoy your summer.
This blog will be updated as I work with curriculum (whoopie!) this summer.
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