Twenty-six Years of Memories

After 26 years of teaching, I have only seven more teaching days left before retirement.  I can't believe it!  The years of teaching have been filled with so many experiences--definitely more difficult when I had all seven children at home.  After working all day as a teacher, I would come through the door at home with my "mommy" face on, help all my kids with homework, take the kids to carpools, and make dinner.  Then at night after the kids had gone to bed, I would load the washing machine, whereupon I would wake up every hour or so to change the laundry through the night.    Lots of washing for seven kids!  (I'm still not a good sleeper, probably because I was so programed all those years to wake up to get things done through the night!)  George was so helpful in getting the kids to do their part so that the house could run as smoothly as possible.  The boys all had jobs in the yard, plus their own rooms, and the girls helped with the housework.  

I believe I had taught one year when this picture was taken.

 I have always tried to make my teaching job a family affair.  For instance, when I was cheerleader adviser, Alison and Amy gave me lots of helpful hints--plus just watching them at all their dance and drill meets, helped me so much.  All of the kids helped me make bulletin boards and helped out with the younger kids when I was a little late coming home.  Has it at times been pretty difficult?  You bet, but mostly I have enjoyed the ride!

Although this picture was taken seven years ago and we've had more grandchildren added, you get the idea of the changes in those 26 years:  Now there are seven children, seven sons and daughters-in-law, and twenty-five grandchildren.

Once we had all seven kids through college with at least a bachelor's degree, my main purpose for working was completed, but I now had my new "family" of other people's kids who I felt I could help out in their education.  I found such joy in helping  people accomplish goals in education, which aided so much in their self-esteem, plus opened the doors to further that education through attending technical schools, joining the military, or beginning schools of higher education.  Many of my graduates were first-time high school completers in their entire family and attending college was unheard of.  I have loved seeing the transformation in so many lives!

So, this past week, my co-workers planned a really fun lunch for me.  I told them I wanted it very-low key because when George does finally retire, we will do the retirement together, but for now, I just wanted those who are near and dear to me that I've worked with for so many years.  Since my birthday was five days later, we just combined both activities into one.  

The Adult and Community Education faculty and staff.  George has helped out with all but one of the 26 graduations we have had since I started, so they definitely wanted him there.  Besides, they just like to have him bug them, I think!  (At times, we had three graduations a year, other times only two--that's the reason for so many graduations.)

Bottom row:  Carmela Middleton (Admissions and Community Education Secretary--really two jobs, but works so hard at both!); Dawn Guthrie (Bookkeeper and all-around go-to person for just about everything!); Erin Jones (Attendance secretary and receptionist who always has my handouts ready.). 

Top row:  Me, George, Gary Smith (Testing Administrator, enrollment counselor for those under 18, and helper for just about anything that comes up at work.  For instance, he has literally been to my room from another building in under five seconds when there has been any trouble with a student!); Karen Haebel, who has done a great job subbing for Susan, the other GED teacher, who has been out on medical leave.  We, also, have a new principal who I have only known for such a short time, but she wasn't able to attend that day, either.  I wish her the best!

Here is Susan with Gary and me at the last graduation.  I have missed her at school so much, and hope and pray she will have better health in the future.  She is one of the most innovative, caring teachers I have ever had the privilege to work with.

We then got the waiter to take a picture of all of us with Andrea Martinez, the girl on the back in royal blue.  She has been such a help in getting students in jobs, the military, and college.  She has only been with us for a year, but has added so much.  She's the kind that will give a kid some money for gas in order to get to school, gifts for those having a bad day, etc., etc.

 Gary then made a little tribute to me, which really touched my heart.  We have actually worked together for nine years--through thick and thin, we always knew the other was on the side of getting the kids done in the best way possible.   I have seen him take the belt off his pants to give it to a kid whose pants were around his knees and said he didn't own a belt.  I have seen him take food out of his own lunch to give to kids who didn't have anything to eat.  I have seen him, also, purchase some appropriate clothing for kids.  You name it--he's done it!  Amazing!

All of the staff gave me a gift card because they didn't think I wanted something that I would have to pack.  How thoughtful was that?!!

After lunch, we all got to sample the beautiful cake that our custodian had gotten for me.  Wow!  It was a beauty!  He was in Orlando with his family at Disney World, so wasn't able to attend.  Thanks, Bob, for that wonderful birthday cake!  It tasted as good as it looked!

Just a perfect way to remember the wonderful people I worked with for so many years.  Small staff, but huge hearts.  Thanks for the memories and all the assistance you gave me to help make my job easier!

With Jeff and Amy and the kids moving to Dallas, I thought my birthday five days later from my retirement party would be a little bit of a let-down.  Don't get me wrong--George always makes me feel special on that day, but Amy always planned a little party which I always enjoyed so much.  So, I went off to work knowing that it was my birthday and George and I would go to dinner later after I got home.  Low and behold, Gary came and got me out of class on the idea that he had a few things to tell me and wouldn't be coming in to work until later.  Then Andrea came and told us there was a giant problem with a student and we needed to come quickly.  As we started down the hall, she said, "Let's go in here (the room right past mine)."  All the lights were off, but she clicked them on, and there were about 35 of my former, as well as current students, yelling, "Surprise!"  I couldn't believe it!

 So many wonderful students--so many stories:  Harassed students, abandoned by parents students, foster home students, court ordered students (sometimes with ankle bands), recovered drug addicted students, students who moved around so much that they lost too many credits to finish regular school, students who in their own words "took awhile to grow up" to realize how important school was, girls who had children early and had to finish school later, students who had moved here from other countries, students who received a "special diploma" after 24 credits but could do nothing with it afterwards, students who had been home-schooled but we needed to finish them up, and sometimes just students who wanted to get started in college early.  The list goes on and on.



The kids were all so happy that I was surprised--truly!  They had all chipped in an had such a wonderful little lunch.  Everyone had the best time--but most of all, me!

Husband and wife from Haiti:  Marlene and Marc--I helped Marc graduate, and now I am working with Marlene.

Front row:  Ana from Puerto Rico,  and to the right, Tiffany from Spain

Louis, James, and Bryan--all current students

Angelica--just needs math to be done

Marc--will be our graduate speaker in June.  Overcame so much in order to finish--a father with a wife and three children who all came from Haiti

Oma--from the Caribbean.  Just needs math to finish

Eric and Matt--current students

Stephanie--a graduate with a fantastic job now, Sarah and Lynn are current students

Three young men with such bright futures.

James--current student;  such a hard worker!

Sarah, Nick, Matt, and Eric--current students

Loretta--came back after three children and three grandchildren, graduated, and is now attending college.

Me with Sarah right next to me--we're just waiting for her results and then she'll be a graduate!  Marc, Loretta, and Stephanie have already graduated.

Lynn and Loretta who became great friends in class.  Loretta, being a mother and grandmother, really reached out to so many people while attending.

This was Loretta's grandson who came with her.  He loved the party!
Thanks to the many current students and former students who made me feel so special on my birthday.
One card from a student especially touched my heart.  I hope that in some small way all the students feel this same way:

Dear Mrs. Copeland, I'm so grateful that the Lord blessed me with you in my life.  You have taught me so much in the past year, not only about school but about life decisions, also  I will be forever grateful for getting to know you and having you as my teacher.  You will always be close in my heart--not only as a teacher, but as my "school grandma."  May God bless you with another year of good health and happiness.  Love always. 

The party continued that evening when George took me to Outback to eat.  I truly was spoiled.  They brought us a big dish of ice cream for my birthday--just the perfect treat!

That night, after a week which included Mothers' Day, my retirement party, and my birthday, I put all the wonderful cards full of good wishes, gift cards, flowers, balloons, gift baskets, etc., and was just overwhelmed with joy!  It brought me to tears to realize how many wonderful people are part of my life.  Throughout the evening, I received so many calls and Facetime from family.  I loved it!  I so appreciate my wonderful husband, family, and friends who have made my life so special.  A giant THANK YOU to all of you!

Just when I thought the day couldn't be any better, this beautiful arrangement was delivered from one of our children's family.  Wow!  A truly great day that I will never forget!