Glory and I would like to thank the whole staff at MES for their generosity, support and recognition. We had a great time at our retirement party at Hibachi..It was awesome. I know that I speak for Gloria when I say that it has been a blast working at MES. I am filled with mixed emotions, on the one hand I am glad (and anxious) to start this new chapter in my life..but on the other hand I am saddened knowing that I will be separated from my MES family. YOU will always have a special place in my heart. As I write this letter I am overwhelmed by a rush of memories that have been forever ingrained in my mind. Its not easy to forget the many good times (and some difficult times) that I had while working at MES. It has truly been a pleasure working side by side with all of you.
In all the years working at MES I have truly come to appreciate the hard work and dedication that is needed to teach a young mind the basic skills it will need to become a productive member of our society and contribute to the betterment of it. I admire greatly the way our teachers have been able to handle the growing demands placed on them and the way they are able to adapt to the waves of changes that are thrust upon them. There truly is no profession that has as much potential to change the world.
I want to thank Mr Small for being such an easy going down to earth Principal. He is a very kindhearted and sweet man...Dan the Man..you deserve hazardous pay for having to deal with all the discipline issues and especially unruly parents. You have leathery skin my friend.
Tracey Adrian and Holly...what can I say about these ladies. They are the epicenter of a whirling cyclone of agitated parents, unruly kids, unorganized staff and the constant demands to do more with less. They are our front line warriors ready to take on any battle. Thanks for being our chaos controllers. Tracey thanks for being a friend. Tracey is a stickler for detail (she hates frames hung crooked on walls and she has a wit of an interior decorator) she is also very efficient and organized (of course she has her priority list so you need to wait in line until your number comes up)..she has a steady stream of words at her command and knows how to delicately arrange them to make you come around to her way of thinking ( my way or the highway). But at the end of the day..there is no one that can take the bull by the horns and ride it like Tracey..( she would of been an excellent Rodeo Clown..putting herself at risk for the sake of others). She is as gentle as a sleeping pit bull..but she can quickly take on the role of a scorned woman. (Tracy I hope your taking this with a grain of salt), Tracey ..you are a Classy Lady..and a smooooth operator !! I am going to miss you.
Mrs Strahan..you are what the word stability was meant to mean (does that make any sense?)..you are gracious yet firm and can handle any defiant kid with a dose of tough love ( or maybe a dose of spiked cool aid..remember Guyana?). You are tougher then shrink wrap but gentle as a Lion licking its paws. I am going to miss you and our running jokes that never get old. Thanks Jan for being a friend.
Mr Paul Carol...You are a citizenship award with legs. You are rock solid, old school, move it or loose it kind of guy. You have the potential to be the Mayor of our unincorporated little township. (wait..better yet ..because our town is so small you can be ..Judge, police chief, patrol officer and Jailer...and maybe float builder and Gold Rush Parade Grand Marshall.) Paul you are also a Dinosaur hunter..way out of touch with modern dragon slaying techniques...Paul..you and I know that there is a new Sheriff in town and she is determined to bring about radical change using smoke and mirrors and other game changing tactics...yes you are a dying breed on the brink of extinction..but if I know you Paul...you wont go down with a whimper..at least we wont be around when the new generation takes over (thank God). Keep up the good fight Paul and remember this old Chinese proverb: "If you see paper laying on floor..gently toss in trash" (better words were never spoken) Thanks Paul for being a good friend and a good back board.
Mrs Goss.. if someone asked me to describe what a perfect teacher would look like..I would Instagram them a picture of ..YOU. And I would share an illustration with them..( "if a carpenter had a box full of every kind of tool to complete to perfection any kind of project..but didn't know how to use them..What good would those tools serve? ...And then I would compare you to that Carpenter that had all those tools ...and KNEW how to use them. That's you Patty. You remind me of the kind of teachers of my generation...Good skillful teachers that that had mastery over their tools of the trade.
Thanks Patty for your strong leadership and your generous spirit. I am going to miss our hallway encounters.
And then theirs Lisa the Library Chic..what can I say about this gentle woman? First of all she is germaphobic,arachnophobic,prank loving don't turn your back on her or she'll sneak up on you and try to scare you kind of Lady. Well..other then having some OCD issues and a touch of neurosis she is a quite delightful Woman. Lisa is a very conscientious, meticulously neat, orderly, obsessively clean (sometimes to the point of absurdity...that's why I provide her with a constant supply of hospital grade FDA AMA FCC CIA approved unpowdered vinyl gloves..Oh and a steady stream of cloth towels). Lisa has a gentle spirit and a very generous tender heart. She will sacrifice her dignity for the sake of others and will go the extra mile to satisfy the needs of those around her. Her gentle soothing voice will disarm the most heinous street predator. She can extract a confession from the most hardened criminal. Lisa is a fragile delicate flower in a tranquil Japanese garden that exudes power and strength when the winds turn against her. Like they say You cant judge a book by its cover..but in Lisa's case it's... What you see is what you get. She wears her heart on her sleeve and emanates with compassion...but don't mistake kindness for weakness..she can put you in your place if need be.
Thanks Lisa for making it fun coming to work. I love your playful spirit and your perfect vulnerability. Oh and I am going to miss the many photo ops that you provide for my obsession.
I am going to miss you Library Chic.
Ok I am sorry if I missed any of you..you are all special to me. Ruth Boetel you have a difficult challenge ahead of you. I know that if you find yourself at the door..you will rise to the occasion with dignity.
Mrs Burdick ..thanks for our morning conversations and your dedication to your family and our students. Your children will do great things because they have great role models. Dont forget to fill your bird feeder. I am going to miss your smile and your laughter. Thanks for being a friend.
And to everyone else Thank you and ...Say good bye Dick
