Just one more look
July 4, 2005
By Cam Tait
Just imagine with me for a few minutes, if you will. The room is empty, with desks lined up in almost military-perfect rows. Silence fills the space like an eerie hush. There are no voices, no whispers to the person in the next seat, no rustling through backpacks looking for a pen, a pencil or a calculator. Gone, too, are the squeaky sounds of sneakers making their way across the floor, causing looks from everyone in the class.
All the packing is done, though it took longer than anticipated. But, really, nobody should be surprised. After a full career, one would expect to call the moving van to haul the filing cabinet home, not to mention all the memories.
The first pay stub, for example. Remember the thought of having it framed because of all the hard work put into just getting there. There were lots and lots of lesson plans, some that were almost certain to work - but when they came to life they struggled. Different approaches were used and they were successful.
It was fun going through what was known as TTT - the teaching tools. Scotch tape, scissors, chalk, and a collection of red felt pens. Ah, yes the red pens. The first one was a wedding present from the love of your life...who knew how much you liked red pens? Then you got one at the end of August. As the years passed, different members of the family had the task - but really, they considered it an honour - to go out and buy what became the coveted red pen. Remember the little ceremony that took place after dinner before you started another 10-month journey?
When the days seemed challenging, one look at the red pen was just the thing to get over the next hurdle.
The most difficult, yet most rewarding - and thickest - file to sift through was the one called 'Notes'. It contained far more than simply notes; rather, it was a study of human behaviour. There were notes left for the substitute teachers, outlines for different lesson plans, techniques, and little biographies on people who were succeeding, struggling or sick. There were also cards from many people: from colleagues who were inspired by the example you set...from parents who thought you were wrong and too strict on their children. Years later, while going through the checkout line at the grocery store, these same parents thanked you and said it was the right thing to do. There were also notes from the people who saw every day, 10 months a year; notes saying that you help them through a rough time, or how they appreciated your encouragement. Countless cards were kept in a separate file so no one else would see them, thanking you for the inspiration and the challenges - lessons never to be forgotten.
This situation probably played out in classrooms across the country last week, as teachers, instructors and professors got up from their chairs one last time and entered retirement. Perhaps we know one of them, and perhaps we should send him or her a note. That's something that wouldn't be hard to imagine.
Cam Tait is a sports reporter and columnist for the Edmonton Journal. He covered community investments and volunteers for 19 years. E-mail Cam at cam@charityvillage.com with thoughts, suggestions or ideas.
Opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of CharityVillage.com®.
