How appropriate (though coincidental) that the Academy Ball kicked off Teacher Appreciation Week. 

The characters in this picture are the NDA staff members who coordinate Student Government activities at NDA–and 90% of our student activities are organized by Student Government.  How appropriate that it looks like there’s a halo over their heads as they pose for a picture before Saturday’s night Academy Ball!

These staff members represent what so many teachers do–give and give of their time for the benefit of students. 

As a teacher of over 40 years and the oldest staff member at NDA, I’m often asked why I’m still in the classroom, why I’m not retired.  Good question. 

But the answer is obvious . . . it’s so rewarding to get to know students, to appreciate their creativity, and to live on in all they go on to accomplish.

Just like the “heroes” in this picture who spent hours planning the Academy Ball and dealing with students who never adhered to the deadlines despite weeks of announcements, emails, and reminders. . . just like these heroes who gave up their weekend with families to decorate on Saturday and chaperone the Academy Ball well into the night. . . and just like the coaches who spend hours planning and practicing and coaching games and emotions and responding to parents. . . just like the staff members who give up their free period to serve on the discipline committee or tutor students and end up grading and planning every evening and weekend. . . just like all these colleagues, I keep teaching because the sacrifice leads to priceless rewards.  

The rewards are the interactions we have with students, the variety of our days and weeks, and the satisfaction of seeing their accomplishments and knowing all the work, all the hours, were worth it. 

Teaching and working with young people is the best career ever.