Last spring I announced that I would retire at the end of the school year. The letter I wrote is included here. School started at Twin Peaks on Wednesday, August 25 and for the first time in many years,  I wasn't there . It felt a little strange but Mrs. Barnett and I got together, went out to lunch and survived the day. The next months will hold lots of new experiences for me but I hope former students will stay in touch!

As usual, I spent a lot of time with my daughter, Megan, this summer. She is the queen of shoppers and I heard, over and over again, "Mom, back away from the school supplies. You don't need 180 spirals, crayons, pens, etc."  She was right but it did seem so strange not to load up on all those usual expenses!  You will be happy to know I bought new clothes instead!

This is my retirement letter:

Dear Students and Parents,

It is with mixed emotions that I inform you that I am retiring this year.  I am excited that I will be able to spend more time with my grandchildren, that I will not be spending my weekends grading papers, that my schedule will be my own, and that we will be able to travel at times other than summer and school vacations (I’ve long wanted to see the fall colors in New England and it will be wonderful to be able to spend time in Arizona when it is not so hot!)  On the other hand, I will miss being in the classroom with “my children” greatly.  

I had planned on teaching two more years, but this year Poway Unified offered a retirement incentive to senior teachers. This allows the district to replace higher paid veteran teachers with younger teachers who are lower on the pay scale, thus reducing the overall payroll expense.   When my husband and I reviewed the plan and analyzed how it would affect our retirement income, we decided to accept the offer.  

I do have to add that the current outlook for Poway schools provided some impetus to retire now.  Predictions (unconfirmed as yet) indicate that classes will be much larger next year, teacher classroom budgets smaller, and another pay cut seems very likely.  We have already eliminated most teacher attendance at conferences, seminars and other professional enrichment activities, and we no longer pursue WASC accreditation of middle schools.  One of my specialties has long been GATE education but this is no longer a funded activity.  I am the GATE coordinator at Twin Peaks this year, and my budget for enrichment, parent communication, and activities is zero. 

These are all things that make teaching more difficult, and are factors that went into my decision to retire now. 

A definite positive factor for retiring now is that I have a particularly delightful group of students this year, and it will be great to go out on a high note – with good memories of this year’s fine class! 

I have heard that some teachers who are “lame ducks,” like I am now, assume a “short-timer’s” attitude and check out early.  Not to worry!  Knowing that this is my last semester at Twin Peaks makes me want to do all my favorite lessons one more time and try some new things too.  So get ready, students.  We’re going to have some fun!

 I am very fortunate that I still love what I do; for the past nineteen years at Twin Peaks I have never gone “to work” but always “to school.”    Twin Peaks certainly is “home.”  I am excited that I have a few more months to try to make a difference in the lives of my students.

Parents, thank you for sharing your young people with me. Teaching is a calling for me, and I receive great emotional pleasure in helping foster middle school students through what can be a pretty challenging time in their lives.  I appreciate all the support I’ve received from students, parents, and the fabulous staff at TPMS. I will miss turning left onto Tierra Bonita every morning!

Sincerely,

Ellen Moir

P.S.:  I have always enjoyed it when former students come to visit and to hear how they are doing.  I won’t be in my classroom after June, but my email, ellen@moir.org will still be good and I would love to hear from you.