Page 84 - EdViewptsSpring2020

My Journey to and

Through Retirement

By Deborah L. Krause, Ed.D., Retired Educator

In our quieter moments, unique occupation whose end product After 37 years, I finally found the cour-
when there is no one is educated adults; and is nebulous age to take a deep breath, walk out of
because everyone has a different idea
the school door and into a new world
else in our classroom, all of how and what a teacher should of possibilities.
teachers have wondered teach. Face it, we know that a good My journey to retirement had many
cook produces a good meal or a
what comes after teaching; competent plumber can fix the toilet twists and turns mainly because I am
restless. As a student, I was one who
will we know when it is the right time to that your curious son decided to flush tested the teachers’ patience and I
leave the classroom? This question is his favorite toy down just “to see what never liked school. Still to this day I
not unique to classroom teachers but would happen”. However teachers am suspicious of any new teacher
closing a door to where you learned producing adults who can do all other who exclaims, “I love school; it is just
so much about yourself by teaching occupations well is a very tall order. so much fun.” I usually manage to
others is hard. Career teachers who The results of good teaching can only smile and say something like, “learn-
retire at age 65 have spent around be seen in how well those who are not ing is fun and when schooling is done
75% of their lives involved in school- teachers do their jobs and manage to well it is the most challenging and
ing, either as a learner or as a teacher. lead balanced lives! For teachers who rewarding work you’ll ever do”. What
Teaching and learning are two sides of learn how to do this job well, the deci- I am trying to say is I didn’t choose
the same coin. Unless we respect and sion to leave the classroom behind is a career in education; it chose me. I
understand how each side processes difficult. Several years ago, I knew that always liked challenges, so early on I
knowledge the coin loses its value my time to close the classroom door knew that my purpose was to never let
and our society suffers. Teaching is a for the last time was on the horizon. another student be as bored as I was

Educational Viewpoints -82- Spring 2020