With school starting this week I was reminded of my first class of primary students way back in 1972. I was only 23 years old and I had 30 more years to go before retirement. (actually retirement wasn't even on my mind back then). Most of these kids are now in their early forties. I'm not good with names from that long ago and, thankfully, I wrote their names on the back of the picture, but I do remember most of them and I can still tell you what kind of students they were and the problems they had either in school or at home. Now considering that I taught around 600 students during my career that's a lot of remembering.
It's funny when I bump into one of my former students they will always ask me if I remember them. Now if their face looked like it did back in second grade I wouldn't have a problem. But of course, over the years they've aged and look nothing like I remember them. I'll ask them their name and then I know who they are. I even keep up with some of them on facebook. Teaching was a wonderful profession for me and a part of me will always miss it, especially this time of year.
Christine
7 comments:
I love your vintage school picture! I have many of my own in a photo album I made a few years back. I also experience former students coming up to me to say hello. Just this summer at a Tulsa Drillers game a young woman walked over from her seat to see if I remembered her. She had to jog my memory, but soon I knew who she was. She was in one of my first year 6th grade classes. I guess she's about 48 years old. I started teaching when I was 21 years old, & turned 22 2 months later. Wow, how time files when you're having fun! Sometimes I do miss teaching, but I'm so very glad I retired 2 years ago.
Smiles,
Carol
Wonderful picture and memories, Christine! I taught for 7 years before becoming a teacher technology trainer and director of finance for a school district. Like you, I miss teaching this time of year. Teachers have always been my heroes and especially those like you that stick with it for 30 years!
I love the picture. I bet most of us have one like it around somewhere that brings back those memories of old school days.
I just found your blog and really enjoy it. I hope you don't mind if I tag along for the ride!
Memory lane, thats great!
At this time of year I can almost smell the new crayons, pencils, paper and classrooms with the newly waxes floors and desks. Wonderful memories!
Absolutely love this photo. You were clearly one of the fun teachers.
Time flies by way too fast, doesn't it....
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