One thing about the month of June when you've chosen a career in education is the buzz of excitement and anticipation that is palpable through the hallways of schools that is a direct result of the impending transitions looming on the horizon. For the students, it is the transition of growth, be it moving up the education food chain to Top Dog in the school, or the metamorphosis from Big Fish in a little pond to Little Fish in the ocean of post secondary. For the teachers, it is the transition from year to year changes surrounding new courses or curriculum alterations, or the arrival at the end of a journey's pathway at the edge of the retirement cliff, fraught with the anxiety of leaving what has defined a life for so many years.
During the whirlwind of relocation to Guelph, I was honoured to be included in the retirement festivities of a few fine people that I have grown to value over my years involved with education.
My "new" friend, Peter Glass, the HPE leader at Barrie North, is retiring after 30 years of leading the way for the Vikings, both in and out of the classroom. I refer to our friendship as new, but in reality, we've been acquainted for a number of years through our involvements in extracurriculars. The "Glassman" has reached the end of his tenure and was visibly torn by his decision at the little shindig we had for him recently since teaching-coaching for him, like most of us in attendance that day, was a passion that would create a void in his retirement soul. Always humble and endearing, Pete accepted both barbs and praises as his longtime Viking colleagues regaled the feats and blunders of his storied career, but the personal highlight for me was the quiet, private conversation we shared around my appreciation for how willingly and quickly he took me under his wing when I arrived at North in 2016. Our friendship has progressed quickly over a short span of years to the point where we mutually feel strong ties of connection. It didn't hurt our friendship any when his son Alex decided to play on my Sr Basketball team giving us more opportunity to share stories and thoughts on road trips.
The Glassman's career is the stuff of legends, fuelled by his undying passion, wholesome commitment, acerbic sense of humour, and genuine concern over educating the whole child. Humble and honest, he is a "doer", choosing to put his head down and get to work rather than host a debate about how and why it needs to get done. Quick with a smile and a compliment, his demeanour is appreciated and loved by the vast majority of students who cross is path, but should they choose to wander, they are quickly reminded that straying is non-negotiable. Pete lives his life large! Whether it is work or play, he occupies the poles of activity, rather than muddle around in the middle, meaning that he is rarely misunderstood.
Peter Glass is really good people and I am not alone in the sentiment that he will be missed around the hallways of Barrie North.
Another "new" friend is choosing to walk across the retirement threshold after spending 23 unforgettable years at St Thomas Aquinas CHS in Tottenham. I call our friendship new, but the reality is that we have been astutely aware of each other for many, many years through our passions surrounding extracurriculars, more specifically as head coaches of the basketball programs of our schools. My earliest memory of Pat Dooley surrounds my astonishment and admiration for his incredible passion and intensity, but I have to be honest that on our first encounter I thought he was a little over the top. I soon learned that it was 100% Dooley, no games, no acting, and that his players would go through a brick wall for him. Over the years we had a mutual respect for our programs and coaching abilities that eventually grew into longer and longer post-game chats. One of Pat's more endearing qualities is his willingness to be brutally honest, and I was a huge fan of it! We definitely haven't always see eye-to-eye on everything, but the list steadily shrank as the years progressed. Another outstanding quality he demonstrates is fierce loyalty, something that is not easy when dealing with teenagers who can screw up massively from time to time.
Now that we are both retired, we can find some time to share beverages, stories and opinions on a patio. If Pat ever reads this post he can consider that an invitation and the first round is on me!
With each passing year, more and more colleagues reach the same point in their careers and take the leap of faith into the unfamiliar waters of retirement. I couldn't be happier for them and applaud their decision, especially considering what they've endured over the past 15 months! At the risk of missing someone I should have named, I'd love to also congratulate BNC's Peter Ritchie, JOA's Mike Greene, and HHS John Cowan.
Welcome to the club!
Retirement really is everything they say it is!
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