Last week a number of staff and students from the local schools and colleges gathered with the family and friends of Allan Ross, attending the funeral to celebrate his life. He had died after returning home having spent several days relieving in one of our senior classes. What struck me was that Allan had a passion for teaching and the heart of an educator who was living his dream. He had had a varied occupational background including 7 years in the Navy, owning an art gallery and running motels. However he later returned to teaching as his chosen career.
As we shared stories from his life it occurred to me that teachers can have a significant, long lasting, impact on the children they teach, one that goes way beyond the year or so that they spend with a particular class. This has been shown by the way students collated several memorial scrapbooks with cards and notes about Allan. There were numerous comments that indicated a fondness and appreciation of Allan as a teacher. A number mentioned calligraphy and poetry as two topics that Allan taught which they would remember him for.
What really amazed me was when I discovered Allan’s age—78!!!! His wife, Ann, told me that on the mornings Allan got up to teach it was like it shed 10 years from his age. He did not look or act his age ! ☺ He had retired but it was still teaching that invigorated and excited him, and I’d like to believe it also kept him young in mind and body. I can see that Allan demonstrated several life principles for us.
* We can leave a positive legacy that outlives us.
* Doing what you are passionate about is part of the sustainability and success equation for whatever field we would work in.
· We are more than our occupation. Family connectedness is arguably equally a measure of success. In Allan’s case this was evidenced by the way in which members of the extended family gathered together to grieve and comfort one another.
I welcome your views and comments on these ideas on the Room 4 Blog
http://rm4waikanae.blogspot.com
Have a great week,
Peter
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