hisgiftsofmusculardystrophy: "40 Years"

40 years of wiping noses, corralling children to the bathroom to wash for lunch, hugs after a fall, letter sounds (which by the way, the "W" sound is "woo" not "wha"), numbers, recess, lunch, wiping those first day of school tears away, boogers, little heads visiting under the restroom stall, raised hands of "I have a pet lizard" when discussing colors, calming the storm of a fire drill, tying shoes, telling Johnny for the 18th time "we keep our clothes on" when he says he is hot, even though your classroom is like the Antarctic most of the time, reminders of soft touches and quiet voices, reminders that Lego blocks don't go up our nose, hallway celebrations, classroom parties, desks full of back up Valentine's because some Mom (mdmom right here won this year's mom fail award for Valentine's Day) forgot to pack Joe's valentines for his friends, parent-teacher conferences, IEP meetings, phone calls, those dreaded teacher-inservice days, and graduation's; marking yet another set of students you helped and guided to face the real world.

Kolter's Kindergarten teacher, MIss Wragge, did all of these things I mentioned plus soooooo much more than any of us even know about. I can't imagine doing anything for forty years and still find the enjoyment after each year that passes. Working at the preschool for a few years taught me that teaching clearly was not the profession for me! Teaching is clearly not a profession for everyone, so bless you Miss Wragge for taking that responsibility on for those of us who were not made for teaching!

It is on to a wonderful world of well-earned retirement for you but I wanted to leave you with just a few things......

You will never know the impact you've had on each student that has passed through your classroom doors. However, I hope we have all grown to be as amazing as you knew we could be sitting in that classroom at the tender age of five! Not only have you made a very large impact on each student, but also their parents.

I remember sitting with you one day discussing the "Kolter cannot's" of our life. I remember you clearly saying, "Kolter is capable of doing anything, you will just have to be patient and have faith until that day comes." Patience was never a virtue of mine! I am ever so thankful for you and everything that I have learned from you and continue to learn!

Thank you for waiting one more year to retire so that Kolter could have you as his teacher! Kolter had a great year with you and is off to first grade! We hope that you have an amazing retirement Sue and we look forward to spending more time with you now that you don't have to be up so early to go to school!