Winding Down After 35 Years

Thirty-five years ago, I stepped into my first classroom at Deer Valley HS with a mix of excitement and maybe a little bit of terror. It was a high school classroom after all. Teenagers are scary. I had my lesson plans meticulously typed (on actual paper, mind you), and I was raring to go. Today, as I begin the process of winding down my career, I find myself reflecting on the moments, big and small, that have made this journey unforgettable.

When I started teaching, the idea of an online class seemed about as futuristic as video calls, making calls with your watch, and flying cars. Remember the Jetsons!? Over the years, I’ve adapted to hybrid learning, digital platforms, and yes, even Instagram and Twitter posts for assignments. From overhead projectors and chalkboards to Smartboards and AI-powered tutoring, the landscape of education has transformed in ways I never could have predicted. I remember sitting on a desk with a bunch of other faculty at Westwood HS in 1993 discussing the World Wide Web and how it could possibly change education. Wow! We had no idea!

There have been moments of brilliance, moments of comedy, and moments of sheer chaos in those 35 years. And somewhere along the way, I became part-instructional designer, part-IT support, and part-time coach. Who knew that I’d one day be troubleshooting WiFi issues while also trying to explain the nuances of APA documentation. Even in a digital world, nothing replaces a well-timed pep talk, an encouraging email, or a spontaneous laugh shared over a technical glitch. “Just turn it off and restart that computer.” That used to fix it every time.

I’ve learned that students are more engaged when they feel heard, whether that’s through a discussion board post at 2 a.m. or an impromptu debate over whether a particular sentence is a run-on or not. Who argues with their English teacher about that? Navigating the world of Zoom, breakout rooms, and “Can everyone hear me?” moments has been a learning curve, but one that ultimately expanded the reach of education way before Covid.

I will miss the energy of a classroom deep in discussion, the playful groans when I announce a group project, and the pride in a student’s eyes when they realize they’ve written something truly great. I’ll miss the camaraderie of my colleagues and the sense of being part of something bigger than myself. Teaching has never been just a job; it’s been a calling, a community, and sometimes, let’s be honest, a bit of a circus. But I’m not done yet. I think I’ll stick around for at least one more year and give “just teaching” a try. No leading a committee, no painfully maneuvering through a software purchase, no trainings, no leading ecourses. Just teaching.