“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” ~John Lennon
Q: How do you feel about your retiring?
A: I’ve been so busy with school that I’ve hardly thought about it yet. I didn’t expect that it would happen so soon and so fast. But my mom’s situation is really dictating it. Older teachers have told me over the years when I was younger that someday you’re going to know – and you’re going to know it in a heartbeat – when it’s time for you to go. And whatever you do, don’t wait until you’re so old that you’ve fallen asleep at your desk and the kids are making fun of you, and you can’t do your best job for them. I’m happy about that because I’m leaving at a time when I’m still at my top game.
Q: What do you plan on doing after retirement?
A: I don’t think I’m done with teaching. I’ve had three job offers already, and I’ll be doing something again, someday. Or I might go back to magazine and newspaper writing. I’ve written a novel that hasn’t been published, but maybe I can start working on that again.
Q: What are you going to miss most about Plano?
A: The kids. I’ve actually taught in 12 high schools in six states plus Europe over the years because Mr. Cain was a Foreign Service officer, and we moved a lot. Most of my career was in Fairfax County, Virginia. Something I’ve learned is that kids are kids are kids, everywhere. And they all believe and want and love and desire the same things. A lot of what we might get hung up on is not important at all. Love is really important. Knowledge is powerful. Using education is your stepping stone to having a great life and serving the world – those are things that are really important.
Q: Out of all the places that you’ve taught, how is Plano different?
A: I would say that Plano in many ways has been the best school and the best experience I’ve ever had overall. I’ve really loved being able to teach all seniors and AP and honors classes, whereas in my other schools, I sometimes taught all four grade levels.
Q: Can you tell me about your favorite memories at Plano?
A: I really love student-made movies. I love the speeches and presentations that they make. When they go up and do their Shakespeare plays in their costumes – those just fill my heart. You can go a long time just riding the wave of the joy it gives us teachers to see things like that. And watching students in extracurricular activities has been wonderful too.
Q: What do you love most about Plano?
A: I think there is a wonderful tradition and legacy here. It’s such a long lived school. And you have a community with a lot of parents and grandparents who went to school at Plano and now their students and children and grandchildren are at Plano. It’s really been nice to be at a family type atmosphere. There are so many teachers who have been here so long – that really speaks highly of the school. There’s a strong foundation of very devoted, scholarly teachers.
