August 8, 2022
I was invited to the Parkview class of 2012 reunion this past weekend. It was a little time for the teachers to roll in and see all. It was a delight.
A great part of the delight was seeing those with whom I taught. There is no finer group of educators. I know every work environment has its culture and challenges. When you teach school, it’s another ballgame. Dr. Dale Allee at (then) SMS warned me when getting my degree in education that it’s challenging in ways you don’t understand until you’re eating lunch in 20 minutes, peeing in 2, and seeing other adults only in the halls, have you strength to venture out between classes. He was correct. But the reward speeds past the difficulty.
I hugged former colleagues and students on Saturday and slowly and in solitary fashion worked my way back to my former classroom. I’ve been gone 8 years now. It was the right choice to leave when I did, but as I climbed the steps to 237, as I saw the trophies from the days of mine in those special halls, as I could hear the laughter we shared together, felt the exhaustion, listened to the great argumentation and performance, I burst into tears.
Before the first tournament each year, I would stand on a chair before my Parkview kids. See, I followed the amazing Bob Bilyeu and Brett Miller. Tradition was my ally. I told the kids who were about to march into an arena of competitive art with others equipped with more money, more coaches, more of much, that they were from Parkview, and that when the other competitors heard it, they would wet themselves a little.
It was true. It was a legacy of excellence, and the Parkview Vikings I carted hither and yon fought adversity and remained champions. I always said I was along for the ride: they amazed me. I could never really believe I was there.
I told my wonderful Nydia today that as I drove home from the reunion, my tears dried. Life has seasons. Mine now includes much baseball, some teaching, love, the dog.
I’m especially grateful that I was once (and always) a Viking. I am grateful for every season.
