As I sit here, reflecting on my career, it occurred to me that tomorrow is my last full day of teaching.  It sure is bitter sweet.  I can remember my first few days in the classroom at the NC School for the Deaf.  I was hired to teach graphic arts and printing where I would eventually take the reins from the main printing teacher, Mr. Harold Brown.  I learned a lot from him about the ways of running a print shop.  He told me that I brought new ideas for new technology to him so we shared skills.  We had our ups and downs.  He was set in his ways and I was the newbie but we over came it all.

I don't miss all those endless days and nights in the lab, working on publications and yearbooks.  It was common to teach all day, take 30 mins at the end of school for food and then work until 11pm plus most nights and even on the weekends.  I was in the shop more than I was ever at home.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed getting to be creative and use my college skills.  It was challenging but as I look back, I miss parts of it.  I still think my body is in a marinade from all the chemicals we used on the printing presses or in the darkrooms.  We published 8 or the 9 yearbooks in house while I was there, all on the presses in the lab.  Tedious work but so worth it when you saw the faces light up on yearbook dedication day.  You see, unlike most school yearbooks today, we kept the entire book a big secret.  No one was allowed to view or share.  It was great and I miss those parts of the job.

Being at NCSD was an experience of a lifetime.  I have many fond memories of students and staff.  We were closer than any faculty than I have been a part of since.  Being a part of a larger school had benefits but so much was lost of staff cohesiveness.

I have many great memories but I won't grading papers or projects or attending meetings and doing paperwork.  It seems like each of those has increased by 200% since I began.  And once you feel like you've gotten a handle of it, they change it up, add more steps and requirements.

That leads me to working at East Burke High teaching Cisco network engineering.  We were tasked early on with wiring the entire campus.  The best part was working side by side with my students as they learned with on the job training.  We spent the better part of a year and half climbing in ceilings and pulling cables through walls.  Sometimes we were wiring classrooms while students were sitting in their desks as we were on ladders above them.  It was great marketing for the program.  When I still walk through the buildings, I look around to see our remaining work.  I don't miss climbing around the ceilings but do feel a sense of pride of all the money we saved the school.

I'm not going to miss the first days of school each semester.  Trying to learn new faces and names.  I know as some read this, they will snicker because you'll remember that I was lucky to remember full names by midterm.  But I will remember all the faces.  I wish I had kept track of all the students I have taught.  I still cross paths with many on occasion and still enjoy stopping to see how they are and what they are doing.  I hope that never ends.

This graphic sums it up pretty closely for me.  I have never been afraid of change but skeptical about it.  I am one who is stuck in my ways.  I have a daily routine that could be scheduled almost to the minute throughout the day.  I eat the same things, watch the same shows, etc.  Change is good and I am looking forward in pushing myself into new beginnings.
My family, most importantly my wife has been very supportive in this process.  She is always one to question my ideas and add to them.  I am very appreciative to her and love her for everything she has done.  The "R" word isn't something that I entertain likely but know that what I am doing isn't truly that.  Yes, teaching found me, I didn't go looking for it.  I am very thankful to have taught a full career.  I didn't train or go to school to become a teacher and if you would have asked me in the 8th grade what I would do when I grew up, I probably would have said a professional camper or a fireman.
Teaching was a blessing in disguise.  I found my way, met many new colleagues that became friends through the years and truly loved being in the classroom with students whom were there mostly to learn and pick my brain for new knowledge.  I wouldn't change a thing.  I have enjoyed every aspect of my teaching career and all the many different subjects taught along the way.  Stay tuned for more reflections as I approach my new beginning.