Dang! And Now He Is Gone

It started out as a simple text message to BaseG and right now I'm not even sure what the message said.  All I know is that the return text message said I need to talk to you in the next thirty minutes will you be available. I didn't like the tone of the message and thoughts immediately began to run through my head as to what the conversation would be about.  When he called in less than ten minutes my thoughts were confirmed, he is leaving the classroom and teaching.

BaseG's decision to leave doesn't surprise me.  There have been a number of occasions where we'd talk about what lies in the future for two guys that work in a very difficult environment.  From my perspective I could leave anytime and I know he's heard from me a number of times that I really don't need to put myself through this.  His situation is a little bit different than mine.  I can depart at any time as I'm old but he is thirty years or more younger than I am and retirement is a ways off.  When we talked on the telephone I was put at ease a little because while he is leaving teaching he is not leaving special education.  His role starting soon will be in the school system education center.  I don't know the exact job description but hopefully he'll be in a position to support special education and the teachers who have committed their lives to educating young scholars with special needs.

So what's in the future for me with BaseG's departure?  Opportunity!  To continue to do what I really like to do, help young scholars with their academics and provide a male presence to scholars who struggle socially, emotionally and in so many instances without a father figure in their life.  As excited as I am about my opportunity I'm also concerned that obstacles may be put in my path as I will be working with a new teacher. What obstacles could there be?  One big one if the new teacher is a control freak who will only delegate to me minor tasks and gofer responsibilities.  So who is this person going to be.  It will be either be a current teacher transferring to our school or a newly graduated teacher and I'm going to add this to the list as I just thought of it.  With about two weeks before school starts it sure as hell better not be a procession of substitute teachers as that has the potential to be a deal breaker.

Do I have a preference for a new classroom teacher?  No, not really.  Well, maybe one.  Having another male teacher would be nice.  Please note this has nothing to do with the ability to teach.  It is based solely on the fact that there are so few adult males in the school.  What do I think is going to happen?  I'll be working with a brand new, recently graduated teacher.  And if I am I certainly hope this young person will not view this wrinkly, gray haired old guy who a certain parental unit once stated doesn't belong in a classroom but a nursing home as an obstacle.  If she/he does it will be a mistake as I've had my view from the back of the room for three years and I can really make the job of teaching much easier for a rookie.

BaseG's departure is disappointing as with him in the room we were truly a man cave.  Two adults and six boys always led to some interesting conversations especially with the scholars.  I'm not going to give you any specifics but I'll give you a hint, we talked about baloney and sausage on a regular basis.  It makes me laugh just thinking about it.  On a more serious note let me say this.  The scholars, all of them that came across BaseG as a teacher advanced academically.  Students that struggled with reading passed IRead3 testing. Students that struggled with math passed ISTEP.  Students that struggled with Language Arts missed passing ISTEP by one question.  Knowing the challenges facing a teacher who works with scholars with emotional disabilities these two accomplishments are huge and may be unprecedented in my school system or any other.

I'm going to miss my friend.