The responses to my retirement post are a real eye opener.

[3Hotdogs]

14. The reference to teachers caught my attention..I retired 17 years ago.

The enjoyment from the job began to decline in the 80's. It was at that time, boards and administrators began to feel a need to "tighten up." That meant more papa work and more meetings, for the sake of having meetings. I left in '87.

From there, I went into real estate. For five years, I made more money than my teaching salary. Then the bottom fell out of the local market. I left there and went into a job selling recycling services. Again, shitloads of money. But our customer base moved to southern states with lower environmental and labor pressures.

So.... try teaching again. This time, in an urban district. The first five years were rewarding. Then the state lowered funding and I was transferred to a school in the poorest part of the city. Four months later, I left.. the day after a shooting outside my classroom window.



It took me about two years to settle into a routine of retirement.

Next week, I turn 80. Tonight I will post some more of my reflections about that.