Patch sent a questionare to retiring teachers this year, and we got responses from three retirees from the Maplewood Richmond Heights school district.
Today we have Maplewood Richmond Heights School District/Special School District teacher Kathleen "Kadi" Compère's answers. She's been in the MRH district nine years and a total of 32 years with the special school district.
What will you miss the most about teaching?
Every single day I have the opportunity to assist a student to make a difference in their own life. I help them realize that there are no barriers to what they want to do with their lives. I have been lucky enough to have students repeat back ideas I have suggested that helped them make the choices they made. Just having that happen even once makes it all worthwhile.
What is the biggest change in education/teaching since you started?
Education keeps recycling good ideas on how to get students to excel, but the ideas get better each generation. I love how education predicts what society will need, and the teachers focus on that. That is something that is so amazing about the focus of education. It's like the bumper sticker says, "If you can read this, thank a teacher".
Teachers educate students in whatever language they need to be successful. Computer language, the language of building, plumbing, business and on and on. We make available to students the tools they need to become whatever they can dream.
Do you have a favorite student/class that stick with you?
Too many to count.
What are you most looking forward to about retirement?
I think it will be that my schedule will be my own. I can do what I want when I want. I really think I have earned that. Also everyday can be a "snow day" for me. A "snow day" I do not have to make up.
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