On June 2, 2000 I gave up my work of thirty years as my career as a public school teacher ended. Health issues, not age (I'm fifty-seven) were the main reasons I decided to leave the teaching vocation. Effective teaching requires great reserves of energy and mental alertness to keep ahead of the students and my health problems were eroding those personal resources.

Classroom teachers are like actors in a one-man show (if a Broadway show ever had a thirty-year run); teachers are in the spotlight the entire time and the show's success depends on keeping the material as fresh and as exciting on the last day as it was on the first. Over 5,000 days on the classroom stage, teaching and entertaining students with TV attention spans; it's hard work!

I'm looking forward to a quieter, stress-free and more private time; I can now actually use the restroom anytime I want to!

I will miss the routine of my former job! My wife [Pat] will tell you that I am a creature of habit; I put my keys, clothes, towel, toothbrush and personal items in the exact same place each time. My ducks are always in a row!

I plan to establish new routines around my interest in genealogy, the CCGS Library, the various web sites I maintain, cooking, housekeeping and yard work. Pat is encouraging the househusband aspect of my new retirement routines!

My goal now is to enjoy retirement for at least twice as long as I was privileged to teach. I'm determined that though the curtain has been closed on my teaching role, it will never close on my learning!

Phil Tidwell

On June 2, 2000 I gave up my work of thirty years as my career as a public school teacher ended. Health issues, not age (I'm fifty-seven) were the main reasons I decided to leave the teaching vocation. Effective teaching requires great reserves of energy and mental alertness to keep ahead of the students and my health problems were eroding those personal resources.

Classroom teachers are like actors in a one-man show (if a Broadway show ever had a thirty-year run); teachers are in the spotlight the entire time and the show's success depends on keeping the material as fresh and as exciting on the last day as it was on the first. Over 5,000 days on the classroom stage, teaching and entertaining students with TV attention spans; it's hard work!

I'm looking forward to a quieter, stress-free and more private time; I can now actually use the restroom anytime I want to!

I will miss the routine of my former job! My wife [Pat] will tell you that I am a creature of habit; I put my keys, clothes, towel, toothbrush and personal items in the exact same place each time. My ducks are always in a row!

I plan to establish new routines around my interest in genealogy, the CCGS Library, the various web sites I maintain, cooking, housekeeping and yard work. Pat is encouraging the househusband aspect of my new retirement routines!

My goal now is to enjoy retirement for at least twice as long as I was privileged to teach. I'm determined that though the curtain has been closed on my teaching role, it will never close on my learning!

Phil Tidwell