Retired teacher gives thanks for support
As the buses rolled by and students of all ages attempted to adjust to new teachers and schedules, I too had some adjustment. For the last 33 and a half years I’ve gone to school as the family and consumer science teacher at Uniontown School District. My adjustment? Retirement. I’m not lamenting my retirement; I’m actually still trying to figure it out. Since June, I’ve been asked how retirement is treating me, and the best response I’ve been able to provide is that I’m treading in unknown waters. However, just like any other challenge I’ve come across in this life, I’m sure I’ll figure this out as well.
The first thing I’d like to tackle is what many people refer to during retirement as a “Bucket List.” I prefer to call it a “To-Do list” and I know exactly where I’d like to begin. At the top of this personal list of mine are several thank yous.
This thank you is extended to the administrators and board members who supported my employment, as well as my adventures within the classroom and outside of it through extracurricular activities with the students. Another to my colleagues, who supported me, came to my aid or helped me with my ideas for and about the students. To the students who respected my class, despite the fact that it was “only an elective”, and me as their teacher. And last but not least, thanks to the parents and guardians; many of them former students, who afforded me the opportunity to now teach their children.
Teaching family and consumer science was always rewarding for me. Seeing a child succeed with their sewing project, prepare a portion of a meal or even and entire meal successfully was my reward because I knew I was teaching a child something they’d use forever.
As I close, I’d like to refer to some of my favorite classroom sayings just one last time. Let me remind you all, educator or not, to remember that “each child is unique,” “there are 101 ways to praise a child” so find them and use them, “little eyes are always watching”, and “If a child is dancing on the tables at age 2, what will they be doing at 21?”
It is the job of all of us to be good examples to the youth we encounter. Discipline never hurt anyone, and to guide and love a child is to discipline them.
My many thanks to all associated with the Uniontown Area School District.
Pamela MG Howarth is a resident of Uniontown.