June Goodbye

As many of you know I will be retiring in the summer. I am excited and humbled by the upcoming experience. I would first of all like the thank all Superintendents over the 35 years I have been in the Abbotsford School District. Their support, mentorship, and challenges have made me the principal and person I am today. Next up are the teachers and support staff, I can honestly say I have never worked with anyone that was not hard-working and child-centered. This was probably very important or there would have been a lot of issues if they were not. The staff in the schools I supervised were second to none- they were supportive, caring, and true professionals who loved and cared about children. I will miss them but many will remain as friends. As for the students, if one does the math which I'm not going to I've impacted a lot of young children in school and coaching in the community. There are certainly more fond memories of laughter, learning, and wonder than I can recall. My memory chest is full. As a principal and leader, I've always known what is important to me and my priorities in life. As a good friend once said " You always put your family first. But still have room in your heart for others." I can't disagree. Being a school principal can be exhausting, tiresome, and stressful. However, it is always important to know yourself and learn about the school community. In my case, it's been a rewarding and humbling experience that I will forever be grateful.