Having worked for 34 years in education -- 24 of which as principal at schools in Stratford and Mitchell -- Paula Robinson officially finished off her last day of school on Monday.
Article content
When Bedford public school principal Paula Robinson arrived at work Monday for both the last day before summer vacation and her last day before retirement, she knew she was capping off her 34-year career as an educator at the right time.
Article content
Robinson, who sat at the helm of Bedford for the past three years and was formerly principal at Upper Thames elementary school in Mitchell, Stratford Central secondary school and Hamlet public school during the preceding two decades, said she felt ready to move on to her life’s next chapter.
“It actually feels great, surprisingly,” Robinson said with a laugh. “I’ve been ready for it. I knew I was going to go. When I came here, I knew I’d give three years to Bedford and then retire, so it’s more exciting than anything. … Thirty-four years is long enough.
“I feel like I still have lots to give and lots of energy, but I want to go before that’s gone. I want to end when I still have lots to give and I still have lots of energy. I don’t want to end my career and be grumpy about it. I want to go out laughing and with people still wishing for more rather than saying, ‘Thank god she’s gone.'”
From the reactions of her students at the Stratford school, who lined the halls on her last day to wish her well, and her staff, who decorated her office daily for more than a week, Robinson was indeed beloved.
“I’m probably most of proud of the relationships I’ve made. At every school I’ve been at, I can look back and think of some really fun things we did, some initiatives we had, but it’s not all about fun,” Robinson said. “I was principal at Upper Thames for (the launch of) full-time kindergarten, that was a neat thing, and helping facilitate inclusive classrooms was another thing I’m proud of, for sure.”
Article content
Robinson is also proud of her work with the province’s New Teacher Induction Program, through which she mentored new teachers, offered them professional support, and helped them develop the skills and knowledge needed to be effective teachers, as well as leaders in their respective school communities.
“The fun with the kids is what I’ll miss most about being a principal. … I like having little things with classes that make them laugh and have fun. I always say my job is to go in, stir them up and then get out, and leave the aftermath for their teachers. I’ve got little, funny schticks I do with various classes and I’ll miss that. I love doing the assemblies and having all the kids together, and building the community,” Robinson said.
“And I’ve really enjoyed working with the parents, too, so I’ll miss a lot of those kinds of friendships and things that have been made along the way.”
While she’s retiring as a principal, Robinson said she will continue working with the Avon Maitland District school board and mentoring new teachers on a part-time basis. With the rest of her now free time, Robinson said she hopes to find some opportunities to volunteer in and around Stratford, travel with her family, and maybe try to fit in a regular game of Scrabble or Pickleball at the recreation centre.
To the students she’s served over the past 34 years, Robinson has a simple message.
“Carpe diem. Grasp the opportunity in the day. I talk to my kids about that all the time. Especially every year when you’re dealing with the oldest kids, I always talk about how they’re the leaders and there’s all kinds of opportunities for them. Take the opportunities. Don’t let everything pass you by and not get involved. So get involved,” Robinson said.
“And for teachers, I would say remember that you set the climate in the class. It is so easy to make a child happy. It’s easy to make them smile and make them giggle and make them feel good.”
Longtime Stratford elementary school principal retires after 34 years in education - The Beacon Herald
Read More
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar