Thirty-Eight--DHS Graduation

Today I am going to go out of order in my countdown as last night was one of the greatest traditions that I have been able to participate in during my 43 years--DHS Graduation.  It is the custom here in Douglas for the Superintendent to bestow the diplomas on the students.  The graduation is held at the football stadium.  They walk across the stage, I shake their hands and give the diplomas and then we smile for an individual picture.    This is such an honor for me and it means so much.  My signature is also on their diplomas.

We had practice yesterday morning for the graduation ceremony.   One of the nicest things for me is that I have gotten to know many of these students in the past five years.   All of my previous experience has been mostly in elementary school, with those first years also in junior high.   I have absolutely loved getting to know and work with the high school kids and I would have never thought that before.   Plus the Douglas kids are amazing!!  They are so polite and respectful!

One of the traditions is for the faculty to wear gowns and their Master's hoods.  I think this is so great to do.   The Board Members also participate, but they wear suits or dresses.   I believe that it sends a great message for us to wear robes and hoods.

So I was able to give diplomas to almost 300 students.  What an honor it was and how special for me that it was my final "job" to do at the end of my wonderful career in public education.    So many of our students will go on to higher education or the military and will make us proud.  They are our future leaders and I have to say that the kids I know are going to make this world a better place.  What a great evening!!  I am so honored that I was able to participate in the graduation of the DHS Class of 2015!   And what truly touched me were the amount of hugs I got from the graduates!   ONCE A BULLDOG, ALWAYS A BULLDOG!!!!!    

Thirty-Nine Days--Late for School

So many memories..........I have been thinking about my six years of teaching special education at Gilbert Junior and Gilbert Elementary.    At that time, Gilbert was still very small.  Greenfield Elementary opened in 1972 and the growth at that time was slow.   Housing was sporadic with mostly farming.   I always drove east on Elliot Road and there was absolutely nothing out there during that time.  In the winter, there were lots of sheep brought down from northern Arizona and many times they would herd them down Elliot Road.   I remember being stuck in the middle of sheep sometimes.   It was quite exciting!!!!    One particular day, I was taking Kerri to her babysitter's and got stuck for quite a long time in the middle of the sheep.    I am always early and I HATE to be late so when I realized it was getting close to school starting, I became quite nervous.  Of course, there were no cell phones (or at that time--not even pay phones around) to be able to call and say why I was late.   When I finally got out of the middle of the sheep, I tried to drive quickly to leave Kerri and got stuck behind a train!!!   I was late for work that day and wasn't able to call in!    I know this is really hard to imagine now as Gilbert has had such tremendous growth!!

Forty--Teaching in Many Historical Buildings

The walk down "Memory Lane" continues.......  My second through sixth years of teaching were all in special education.   I taught at both Gilbert Elementary and Gilbert Junior High.  Even back then, we had a shortage of subs.  My schedule was a bit weird as I had some kiddos assigned to me all day from the elementary school and then some kids from the junior high that came to me for a certain period.  So there were days when I had to substitute and would have to take "my kids" with me to the class that I subbed in.   In addition, I must have moved classrooms 10 times in five years.  I taught in one of the cottages at Gilbert Elementary for a time.   Then I was in a back room in the library which is now Special Services at the District Office.    I spent a couple of years teaching in the Alamo, which is now the Gilbert Historical Museum.   I even had a classroom in this old, rickety building that had previously been the band room.   They didn't ever remove the different "floors" so I had kids above and below each other!    It was in the current District Office parking lot and that particular time we had a lot of rain.  I would literally be surrounded by water after it rained--kind of like a moat.   And then when it was windy and the door was opened, it would blow out the pilot light on the heater and we would have to evacuate.     What an experience that was!!!!  It has been fun remembering all of these things.  I have been sending myself emails to remind myself to write about certain experiences!!!   This has been great!!!

Forty-One--Paddling?????

As I continue to count down the days, it has been fun trying to remember the things that have happened over the years and the experiences that I have had an an educator.   It seems like such a long time ago that I was a teacher--and it was.  It has been great to think about the wonderful memories of those 17 years.    

Yesterday, Martha Wallace replied to my Facebook post and asked if I remembered when we paddled some boys that first year of teaching.  I had thought about it yesterday and then didn't write about it.  It was my first and last experience with paddling (except once when I had to be a witness and I will share that later)!!!  Obviously, times were very different back then.  As I said, I had quite a challenging class that first year with mostly boys who were 14 & 15 years old. I had just graduated from college.  Martha had the bright idea one day when they were particularly naughty that maybe we should paddle them.....   What a disaster!!   If you can paint a picture in your brain of two young teachers having the boys bend over so we could spank them......   It was awful and I knew from then on that it was absolutely something I would never do again.  

Once again, what an experience that first year of teaching was for me!!! I gained such valuable experience!!!!

Forty-Two--Starting My Career

As I remember this incredible journey that I have had in my career, it takes me back to my first job at Gilbert Junior High School.    When I started back in 1971, there were 11 teachers at GJHS.   I was hired to teach 8th grade special education.   Martha Wallace was hired at the same time to teach 7th grade special education.   We were the only new teachers with a very established faculty.   Gilbert Junior was located in the present District Office.   Believe it or not, there were only about 800 students K-8 at the time.   All of the District schools were in the same area.   Mesquite Junior High was Gilbert High and Gilbert Elementary was Gilbert Elementary.   All of the students ate in the same cafeteria--staggered lunches. 

I did work with an intern that first year who was interning in Counseling from ASU.  Her name was Kay Sevill and she is now Kay Huston.   We are still friends!

I learned so much that first year.   It was a tough group of kids and I wasn't that much older than they were.   I think I got about five years of experience all in one year!!!  I worked with a great faculty who were incredibly supportive of me in my first year as a teacher.    

Special education then looked much different than it does today.   There were no IEP's, not much testing, and kids were just placed.  It wasn't until later in the 70's that "rules" were put into place--which was a good thing.   

I learned that year that no matter what happens, it is extremely important to follow through and do the very best job you can no matter what the circumstances.  That has carried me well through the years and I am so glad to have learned this valuable lesson my first year as a teacher!

Forty-Four Years of Memories!

In forty-three days, I will end my forty-four years as a public school educator (June 30).   Although I have not written much on this blog for quite some time, I am going to try to write something each day of my many wonderful memories of an incredible career.  (Note--somehow I forgot to include my last year when I started these posts so it was actually forty four years.  I figured that out one day about a year later when I was walking.  So I added a post that day to make up for it.   I think that somehow because my last year was a bit stressful, I blocked it out!)

When I started ASU in 1967, I truly didn't know what I wanted to major in.    It seemed at the time that most women majored in either education or nursing.  I don't like blood or vomit, so nursing was never an option!!!   I started out in business, but that wasn't really what I wanted to do.  After trying a couple of other majors, I decided to major in special education.   At the time, it was a double major in special ed and in elementary education.   I was able to graduate in four years despite changing my major a few times.  

I did my student teaching in first grade in the Balsz School District for half a semester and then in special education in the Roosevelt District for the second half of the semester.  Both were incredible experiences.

My first offer was from Gilbert and I signed on the "dotted line" immediately  (more about that later)!  It was to teach 8th grade special education at Gilbert Junior High.

I have often thought about my career and would I have done something else--maybe something like law.   However, I have never one time regretted my decision to become an educator.   I have had an amazing career and I have been blessed to have so many wonderful people who have touched my life in so many ways.   I would not change any part of this incredible journey!!!   

I taught special education for six years and then 11 years in elementary school for a total of 17 years in the classroom.   I spent one year at the District office as the interim Director of Personnel for GPS and then 20 years as the principal of Gilbert Elementary School--the best job in the whole world.  For the last five years, I have been the Superintendent of the Douglas Unified School District.  So I have seen public education at every level.

As these last 43 days wind down, it is bitter sweet.     I am ready to move on to the next phase of my life, but have many mixed emotions because my career has been so important to me and I feel as though I have been able to make a difference.   My dear friend, Wally Delecki, says that when he retired as Superintendent and went to work for NAU that he was recycling.   I love that!!!  One of our consultants told me that when he retired as an assistant superintendent, that he considers himself a "recovering superintendent" and I love this too as it is so true.  So as I look forward to whatever might bring me in the days, weeks and months ahead, I have to think that I will be recycling as a recovering superintendent!!!!

It has been a great ride and I have so many wonderful memories of the fellow educators, children, parents and families who have touched my heart and I hope to share 42 more!!

Retirement or Recycling??????

Two weeks ago, I let our Governing Board know that I intended to retire at the end of my current contract which is June 30.   It was a very difficult decision for me because I feel that I still have a few things left to do down here in Douglas.  However, at this point in my life, I feel that it is the very best decision for me personally.   There are so many wonderful people here and I have absolutely valued them.  I have been overwhelmed by the positive emails that I have received from so many people.  It has been heartwarming to me to know that there are a lot of people who wish that this day had not come.

The night that I told the Board was also the night that I got my annual evaluation.  I had a great evaluation and the Board said that I have taken the District to the next level.  With 5 being the highest, I had 4 + for my evaluation.  That came from the whole five member Board.  I am proud of what I have done in Douglas and what has been accomplished and no one can take that away.

I have had an amazing career for the past 43 years.  I absolutely loved being a teacher.  I still have connection with many of the students and their families that I taught for 17 years.   That means a bunch to me.  The 20 years that I spent as the principal of Gilbert Elementary were awesome.  Being an elementary principal was the best job in the whole world as far as I am concerned.   I have very much enjoyed my job down here in Douglas.  However, some of the politics have been very difficult.  And the politics in Arizona will make it even more difficult to do a good job over the next few years.  Education is not a priority and there will be cuts.   This will hurt Douglas more than many other districts and the students, families and educators down here DO NOT DESERVE THIS!!!!  It amazes me the job that our teachers do down here with very limited resources.

My friend and mentor, Wally Delecki, says that he did not retire, but has recycled as he teaches for NAU.  I know that I will do something after June, but not sure what as yet.   I guess that I will also be recycling.  One of our consultants is a retired superintendent and he has told me that he is a "recovering superintendent."  I think that may be my mantra, at least for a few months or years!!!!

It has been a grand journey and I have made so many wonderful friends through the years.  I have been blessed in many ways!!!