So here I am, captured this past March in some down time by good friend, Lori. If I had a baseball card, a few vital stats on back would include:
Name: Mark
Occupation: Educator
Location: Bonny Eagle Middle School (Scottish-themed school... hence the kilt today. Pictures at 11)
Grades: 7 and 8
Clan: Stirling
Subject: English, Reading, Writing
Number of years in Education: 41 1/2
Number of Years in same building: 41 1/2
Fellow Bloggers I've met:
BC from the Lou and Brattcat
On my radar: Lowell, SCreech, Sketchbook Wanderer.
"Class, any questions?"
Surprised?
http://www.bonnyeagle.org/BonnyEagleMS.cfm
Oh, my, at long last, the "reveal". My response? Someone near and dear to me is retiring this Thursday after 41.5 years of teaching seventh grade at BEMS. I first knew him as a district colleague, then as a teacher to my two sons, then as a friend, then as a middle school co-worker, then as a friend who HOUNDED me to go out with his brother, then as "Match.com" (with 100% success rate - okay he only has ever had one match), then as my brother-in-law, and, for the past two years my teammate/my "partner in crime". I'm gonna miss having him next door to me. Thursday's gonna be tough. Thanks, Mark, for all that you've done for the kids and staff with whom you worked! You are loved and you will be dearly missed!
ReplyDeleteFor the record, I am still completely in denial that "this day" has arrived!
ReplyDeleteSo, wait! That's not you in the Blogger profile?!
ReplyDeleteNice to see you and congrats on your retirement!
ReplyDeleteoh i think this is my favorite post from you!
ReplyDeleteHmmm... you look nicer with the sack off your head! :)
ReplyDeleteI am not at all surprised that you are an English and writing teacher. Your stories are always so well-written and compelling. That does not happen by chance. I also have the feeling you are good at inspiring the students who are looking for inspiration. Maybe you'll have a well-known author amongst your past students (if you don't already) one of these days!
PS: I also want to meet Lowell! :)
I pegged you for an educator long ago...but Middle School! For 41 1/2 years? You have a place in heaven...guaranteed. Loved them but I ran out of energy after 12 years and then did battle with the older students. Actually I loved them all for different reasons, and I have a feeling that you were a master teacher. You earned your retirement but I also guarantee that you will miss it for quite awhile! PS. Great mustache.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed you stayed in the same school for so many years. Grades 7 and 8 are difficult ones. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteWell, I knew it! You had to be not only handsome but brilliant! I mean, really, an educator? Yep. I taught also, 7th and 8th, but mostly 8th grade American History! It was great fun while it lasted but I wouldn't want to be teaching today. I sure as hell don't know how you lasted so long! For some reason a lot of folks don't like teachers. Hope your retirement is as good as mine has been!
ReplyDeleteTo Halcyon: Some day.
Next summer in Eustis!
You look pretty good without that mask. So, I had guessed your profeesion but guessed you worked downtown, not Bonny Eagle...HowEVER did you find the time on all those days to come into Portland for adventures & photos! (& I am grateful you did!!) I love the way you're celebrating your rite of passage. PS You are on my radar too...meet anywhere between Camden & Portland with Sharon & others? Now: another question: WHO MADE THE TERRIFIC MASK??
ReplyDeletehow VERY awesome and nice to meet YOU! educator! bless you! bless you! for your long career, your diligence, your obvious love of your job and students!!!
ReplyDeletei wanted to +1 this post!!! :)
ReplyDeleteWell, so that's you! Good to finally see you, Mark!
ReplyDeleteNice to meeet you ! I had guessed your job . Glad to see your fabulous moustache , at last ! :o)
ReplyDeleteI was leaning towards social worker or psychologist - I guess you need those skills as a teacher! Somehow I am sure you were a great teacher!! Nice to see you. ;-)
ReplyDeleteMark, its apred, I congratulate you on your retirement and please take care of yourself. I can't believe this day has come.
ReplyDeleteThought you might be a reporter. Not really surprised that you are a teacher as you handle your words so well. You do look like a prof in your nice photo. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteAlright! Congratulations and bravo, Mark! Only surprise: I wouldn't have guessed middle school. That moves you up in my estimation by many notches - tough age! But you look like the kind of nutter (meant nicely) that can actually get through to those little souls. I hope you choose to discard the bag now; really, the Mr. Potato Head look is so 1950s.
ReplyDeleteSo there you are! Nice to see your whole self. Look forward to meeting you and Elenka this summer . . . Meanwhile, happeeee retirement -- you're going to wonder how you ever had time to work. :)) xx
ReplyDeleteYeah, why'd you wait so long to post this? And where's your black-on-black Red Sox hat? You da bomb.
ReplyDeleteI knew it! So nice to see the real you!
ReplyDeleteThose are some awesome stats on your baseball card. 41 1/2 years!
ReplyDeleteGreat shot Birdman!
ReplyDeleteAh, birdman, you've let the "cat" out of the bag. Handsome as ever, I see. And retiring...does that mean you and E. will be traveling more...perhaps returning to Brattleboro???? Hope to see you this summer in Maine.
ReplyDeleteOi, it that really you, Birdman?? Wow, what a turning point when a blogger comes out of the bag! So you really have a face and even a name. This will take getting used to, . . . Mark.
ReplyDeleteEven in a kilt you look great.
Mazal tov on your blessed retirement.
I wish my kids had had you as a teacher. I'll never forget my 7th grade teacher, Mr. Stark, and that was back when Chicago grammar schools had almost no men teachers.
Well good luck with all your new free time!
OMG....I missed this post somehow! It's so good to see you!
ReplyDeleteOh man I was so wrong hey! Nice one Birdman.. do you feel a little naked without the bag :) Seriously dig the mo!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your retirement! Your longevity in one building is impressive!
ReplyDeleteOh, you dapper devil, you. Yes, among the possibilities, teacher had been near the top, along with journalist and bank robber.
ReplyDeleteI interrupt my Russian vacation to tip my hat to you, BirdMark. Nice to meet you. I had you pegged as an FBI agent, only because I didn't think the Secret Service is headquartered in Maine. Where did I go wrong? (Congratulations on your retirement and your unveiling . . . you will soon discover that Retirement Rocks!)
ReplyDeleteWell the talk on the street today was that you had ummmm.....come out. I raced over, scrolled down and no reveal. Thanks for the comment on my blog. Well congrats on your retirement. I"ve been retired 6 years and haven't been able to get the smile off my face!!!! Rock on!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd for the record, you may very be Mark in real time but you will forever be Bird to me. Hope that's ok. And the kilt,oh my. Darlin' you were made for a kilt. Don't give it up. Hugs from Dixie, V