Brenda,
You said it so well. Your message says it all. The true
rewards come from students and parents. If you're lucky (and I
was this final year) you will have an administrator who sees
that. However, if it would have been two years ago with the one
before him, I am positive I would have been where Meg is with
the same kinds of feelings. We have all had that type and I'm
so sorry you and Meg had to end your career with one.

With or without a decent administrator, you know inside when
you have done a great job. Brenda, you are a smart lady and
your excellent advice should really help Meg. Jess and others
have made some great points too.

Good luck to Meg. I hope she will move forward and begin
enjoying the wonderful retirement she deserves.
Jeannie

> Dear Meg,
>
> My retirement experience was similar to yours and it has
> taken me a long time to reconcile myself to it. I had taught
> for 31 years, had been on just about every committee that had
> ever existed, was a department head, and, and, and ..... A
> very good friend sat down with me a couple years after it all
> and she said something that has stuck with me. In the end,
> it is only from within ourselves that we celebrate our
> contributions to the world. She reminded me of all the
> visible things that remained from my work, and she reminded
> me of the students who continue to visit, write me, or work
> in the area in which I taught. That, truly, is our reward as
> teachers.
>
> I hope that you can find your way through the bitter feelings
> that I know you're having. No one can take away the impact
> you had on a place unless you hand it over to them. Make
> your own happiness. Good luck.

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