Whan I Retire

Mr. Foteah:

I recently wrote about how having friends at work was never a priority. However, the fact of the matter is I have made some close ones - people I really respect and enjoy being around. That makes work pleasant, as we're all dealing with similar challenges together, instead of battling alone. Of course, it makes you want to go to work everyday, knowing that you're going to a place where you are liked and like the people around you.

Now, I've heard anecdotes recently from a variety of schools about colleagues not being so supportive of each other, saying nasty things behind others' backs and the like. I hope no one is doing this to me, and if any of my colleagues have any kind of issue with me, that they can bring it to my attention and we can work it out.

Like everyone else, I want to be recognized for my positive attributes, and I want those to be my hallmarks and form my reputation.

We recently celebrated the end of the school year with our annual party. This one had the added wrinkle of being a defacto retirement party for some much loved members of the staff.

I was moved by the way people spoke about each retiree. I didn't expect such wonderful things to be said, and more importantly, the honorees were genuinely surprised and touched.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at June 28, 2011 4:33 AM
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