Reunion: The Big One

I just returned from a high school reunion. When I received the invitation my first thought was, “Someone made a mistake. I am not that old.”

This “crazy” brain went into overdrive: “Well, it’s been several decades since I’ve attended; so, I’ll go. It’s Memorial Day weekend and I’ll be in the area anyway. After all, the whole school had only 100 students. There will be few strangers at the potluck event. On the way, stop at Wal-Mart, purchase some snacks, show up, and see what happens.”

 Can’t you just hear the excitement and passion?

In a word, the event was terrific. Eighty-one percent of “the class” is still living and in pretty good health. Next, the 39% of “the class” that attended the event seemed to be rather content. In many ways, it seemed that those teachers of long ago did their jobs well. At the time, they did not know that they were teaching budding musicians, business owners, military men, politicians, government workers, educators, and others. I am proud of my fellow classmates and ole teachers.

 So, what does this have to do with education? In this small rural community, those teachers are not remembered because of the number of degrees they held. Those teachers, some still living, are respected because they loved their students and passionately taught subjects that they believed were important. How they expressed their concern for each of us and their love of teaching lasts a lifetime. If you have a chance to go to a reunion, it might be worth the effort.