By Theresa Parker Pierce

Lessons Learned from a Schoolmarm

Year 1: Don’t quit.  

Year 2: Good people weren’t born that way. 

Year 3: Family comes first.

Year 4: Write thank you notes. 

Year 5: It takes five years.

Year 6: A reader learns. 

Year 7: Use up your sick days. 

Year 8: Read a page a day. 

Year 9: Give away snacks.

Year 10: Principals lead by example. 

Year 10.5 Ignore one bad evaluation. 

Year 11: Read, travel, and BE an interesting person. 

Year 11.5 Meet on Middle Ground.

Year 12: Learn from the Circus. 

Year 13: Enjoy summers.

Year 14: Compliment often.  

Year 15: Experiences increase scores. 

Year 16 Teaching reading doesn’t stop. 

Year 17: Don’t judge an unprepared child. 

Year 18: Learn alongside. Technology

Year 18.5 Catawba TOY scrapbook 

Year 19: Now save some sick days. 

Year 20: Volunteer. Pascagoula

Year 21: P D opens doors. Denmark,

Year 22: Apply for the grant. Seattle Asian Immigration 

Year 23: Make learning fun. Agriculture in education 

Year 24: The Stolen Earring

Year 25: Woulda Coulda Shoulda

Year 26: Maybe might mean yes. 

Year 27: Find a Study Buddy. 

Year 28: Eat the dessert in the workroom. 

Year 29: High schoolers like activities. Travel with students Europe 

Year 30: Balance work and life. Caregiving sandwich generation 

Year 31: Dress up. 

Year 32: Stay in your lane.

Year 33: Clean out. 

Year 34: Learn from World War II.  

Year 35: Do things you never dreamed possible. 

Retirement: All of it was worth it. Be GLAD you did not quit. Thank everyone. Sit back and watch new teachers grow. New teachers have always inspired me! The classroom is not yours anymore. The students and friendships will stay with you, always. 

Signed, A teacher one day ~ a schoolmarm for life