It’s official! The Board “accepted and approved” my retirement!

When I read the email notification to that effect, I smiled, peacefully and joyfully.

In rehearsing the moment, I expected to do a combination victory and liberation dance.

I imagined I’d spin around, jump up and down, and even pump my fists a couple of times.

Not so.

While I wouldn’t change my decision; while it is time, there was—and maybe always will be–a part of me that feels a certain sadness, too, reflecting on those three words.

It really is over. My retirement has been: “accepted and approved.”

In fewer than fifty days, as of August 31st, I no longer am a full-time employed educator.

Regardless, I’ll always be an educator, don’t you think?

Like it or not, in the school-without-walls called life, we all are witting or unwitting, willing or unwilling educators of sorts, aren’t we?