Surprise Retirement Party

Last Tuesday my school had a surprise retirement party for me/ I had no idea that a party was in the plans. On Tuesday Mrs. Oberschall called my room and asked if I would be available to show Ms, Salles how to do the school web page after I'm retired. I net with her at about 2:00pm that afternoon. She asked a lot of questions and I thought wow she is really interested in taking over this job of mine. Well it turns out that there was more to her interest than just the web site. Kaitlyn was also there to distract me, keep me from wandering around the school and discovering what EVERYONE else was up to.

After I had given a very brief but comprehensive workshop on managing the school web site, complete with visuals, handouts and note taking points. I guess even to the end I am the consummate educator. Then came the announcement. "There will be an emergency faculty meeting in the multi-purpose room" "That can't be good" I thought to myself.

Some if the cards and gifts from my retirement party

I gathered up my notebook and pen, I was trying to at least give the illusion that this meeting was important to me. I was sure that it would be something exciting like data overview of the lowest quantile in reading or math. I walked over to the MPR ready for what ever the meeting held and ready to go home.
I got there and the room was full. "Oh great" I thought "I'm late". I walked in, head down, heading for my usual seat. Hoping no one would notice that I was late. I kept repeating my new matra of "one last time".
Then I noticed people who were not should not have been at this meeting. Jan, my wife was walking toward me grinning from ear to ear. Urging me to sit in the front of the room. That was the last place I wanted to sit for a faculty meeting. But then I noticed others. Kent and Leslie, Patty and Bill, Mary, Karen, Sue, Gaye, Lois, Daryl, Pam, Gloria and others. Everyone looked much too happy for a data meeting. Then it slowly began to dawn on me that EVERYONE had kept a secret from me.
This was a party for me! Cakes from Wright's. Gifts and speeches about me. Even a song. It was great and I was totally surprised. This is how school meetings should be!
Yes I did have to wear the grass skirt and coconut bra.

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