With feelings of pride, reluctance, rejoicing, gratification, and gratitude I turned-in my room key and badge on June 12, 2019, bringing my public teaching career to it's conclusion. For the first time in 31 years I don't have a school key on my keyring. Retiring from teaching is bittersweet . . . I'm glad to say good-bye to the staff meetings, the ever-changing curriculum, and the politics of education, but I am sad to say good-bye to planning and giving instruction. Most of all I will sorely miss the students. The group I had for these past two years, in 4th & 5th grades, has been wonderful. They were such an intelligent, fun-loving group of kids. They kept me on my toes, made me laugh every day, and made me proud with their many high achievements. I'll never forget them! For me, as my t-shirt says, "School's Out Forever!" 

Mrs. Lori Eslick, artist, illustrator, and author came to our classroom weekly to teach the art of book illustration. She helped each of the children design a cover and interior artwork for the books they wrote about American Natives. Can you find Mrs. Eslick in the Picture? You can find out more about Mrs. Eslick at her web-site: http://www.eslickart.com