When I was going to retire 5 years ago, I had a plan.
I had missed the retirement deadline.
The district let me retire because I had over
30 consecutive years (33) with them, and a doctor's letter.
At my April AEA meeting, the president told me
not to sign anything when I went in later that month
to meet with the district. He said to bring the
paperwork to the May meeting, and he and the
executive board would look over it.
On Friday, April 12, the 5th grade in the district had
a math class all day. It was hard to get ready for a sub!
I sat by my team, and also Kindra Reid.
Kindra and I met the summer before at the
Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute.
We both had foot problems.
Anyway, her foot was in a boot . . . again.
We were twinners!
Then, I heard a "pop" and Kindra said,
"Oh, nooooo!!!" She took her boot off, and the
staples in her foot had popped open!
I leaned over to her and whispered,
"I'm done! Don't tell anyone!!!"
Also, I looked at my calendar.
A science class the day after school got out,
the next week was district training for
Common Core math, the next Monday was
Ropes Course recertification, then 5 collaboration days
with the team (the summer before, one teammate
wanted to work 10 half days!)
I was D-O-N-E!!!
I would never heal!!!
I met with the district on April 15.
That morning, when Lori dropped her twins
off at jr high, I told her I was going to retire.
Nancy came to my room so I could tell her.
Nancy had been my bff at Alpine since she
came in 1983-1984. We even went to Hawaii together!
Heidi took me to the meeting, since she lived close
to the district office. My mom was waiting there.
The meeting went great!
All my questions were answered.
They gave me the paperwork for the principal to sign.
I had decided to not turn anything in until the
absolute last day of school!
I knew if word got out, I would be pressured to
turn in the paperwork, so the school could hire the
best candidate available.
Well . . . this time, it was all about ME!
My last foot dr appointment in May was the
Friday before Memorial Day.
Dr. Ridge said I had been in the "destructive phase" (March 20),
and was still in the "healing phase."
He definitely said to retire!
Even if everything went well in surgery with
the best case scenario, standing on the carpet with
pretty much no padding, being outside, P.E., Clear Creek, etc.
it would never heal!
That's all I needed to hear!!!
The next day, I told Don Beckstrand.
Others that knew were: Paul Finlayson (I was his matchmaker),
Lisa Hoover (secretary . . . she had to help me with my
Foundation money), Dean Turner (custodian),
Maureen Wallace (tutor partner), Heidi Park (she drove
me to my district meetings, and 2 AEA meetings at
Mountain View High School)
I also told Jeanie Vance, an aide. Her father in law
was my favorite teaching partner. (RIP, now gone 18 years.)
I had some cubbies his dad built, a teacher manual organizer,
and paper organizer. Jeanie had to ask her brother in law,
Blair, who taught 3rd grade out near Vernal, if he wanted them.
I definitely did not tell my team!
They would have gone to Cami, the principal,
and get her to demand I turn the work in so they could
get a good teacher.
But, mainly, the reason I did not tell Condita was she
was going to miss most of May to go home to
South Dakota to donate a kidney to her mom.
I didn't want to add stress.
I didn't tell Matt, cuz he'd tell Condita.
I believe Heavenly Father was watching over
everything with the teachers!
Matt transferred to Fox Hollow, where he met his wife!
The new teachers, Jon Horan and Allyson Jones were perfect additions!
I had decided to write a blogpost, and publish
it at midnight after school was out!
The blogpost explained everything.
I really didn't even see most of these comments when
people found out. I was exhausted.
It never ever came up on my Facebook memories
(On This Day), until today!
It was fun reading them.
I wanted to save them.
Former student in Class #5.
Taught 3 of her children.
Former teacher at Alpine, parent of a
student in class #5.
Parent of 2 students.
Taught her sister-in-law.
Former Ward Member
Former teacher at Alpine in the 1980's.
Former teacher at Alpine.
Caroldean, Victor, and Glynis Neves.
Taught 8 children from 2 Neves families.
(comments also from other family members)
Former teacher at Alpine.
One of my dearest friends.
Her and Brad were on a mission
(actually a mish.cation ---a cross between
a mission and a vacation.)
Prince Edward Island, Canada
aka Anne of Green Gables home.
Back to the Neves families.
July Jolley was an aide at Alpine.
Taught her daughter.
So, yes, my retirement was pulling a fast one!
I got to have my retirement celebration the next
year with Don & Diane.
Today would have been my last day (age 59 1/2)
but, Heavenly Father knew best!
I had lots of foot problems, and a few health issues.
My mom had 2 surgeries, with TONS of doctor appointments!!!
I could not have done all that, and teach and do sub plans!!!
(Sub plans was the #1 thing I disliked about teaching)
When you hear the term,
"pulling a fast one", this was the best of them all!!!
I got to have my retirement celebration the next
year with Don & Diane.
Today would have been my last day (age 59 1/2)
but, Heavenly Father knew best!
I had lots of foot problems, and a few health issues.
My mom had 2 surgeries, with TONS of doctor appointments!!!
I could not have done all that, and teach and do sub plans!!!
(Sub plans was the #1 thing I disliked about teaching)
When you hear the term,
"pulling a fast one", this was the best of them all!!!
