I retired today.

[Smarmie Doofus]

27 years. (32 if you count private. One of my first memories is a colleague saying --- in the middle of the campaign, Oct.,'80.---: "If Reagan wins... we ALL lose.&quot

Yeah.

Well.... whatever it is now.... it ain't teaching.

Thanks Ronnie, thanks Nancy.

Thanks, Barack, Arne, Big Bill, Bloomberg... and the rest.


Ummm.... I said I was *retiring*.


I didn't say I was "going away."

Dream on.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Congrats! And enjoy...

I hope you'll find retirement a delightful occupation. I've been the happiest I've ever been since I retired back in 2005...

[Semi_subversive]

2. Congratulations!

I hope to follow you in November and then work part-time for my favorite Congressman for a couple of years.

[Smarmie Doofus]

13. Thanks. I'll do something political, also.

Probably poorly paid... ( if paid at all). But someone's got to do it. No?

Possibly around school issues and/or unions.

[Arctic Dave]

3. Woohoo!!

[dballance]

4. Congrats! And don't you dare go away. Now you have all that free time...

to make other differences in the world to compliment the difference I'm sure you made in so many kid's lives during your career as a teacher. Have Fun!

[Smarmie Doofus]

14. I'll have fun. But...

... sometimes work is more fun than fun ( No, I didn't coin that. But I like it. )

It's gotta be the right work, though.

[Starry Messenger]

5. Congrats!

You've earned it, Smarmie. Have an adult beverage of your choice and I hope there's a nice trip in the offing. Celebrate!

[Reader Rabbit]

6. Good on ya!

You made it out alive! I'm so jealous!

[midnight]

7. Wow... Ronnie sure left his fingerprint on the worker's rights, and now everyone else gives us this

speech that the jobs are never coming back and you guys have to create the new jobs.... Blah Blah blah... I just wish they would start doing their jobs, and let us keep ours... Well.... Sorry about the rant... but congrats for being able to do what you could for the public and private education.. and so glad to hear you are not going away.....

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Congratulations

You've earned it!

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. and..how does it feel?

I thought I would hate my (enforced) retirement...
turns out not so much!

[Smarmie Doofus]

15. Mixed feelings.

This system (NYC) makes it pretty easy to retire, financially speaking. For people who started in the '80s, that is.

Younger, newer teachers are not going to have it as good when it's their time. I feel really bad about all of that.

I'd still like to be part of that fight. A little harder to do that now from the proverbial peanut gallery, but I'll find a way.

[obxhead]

10. Congrats!

I hope this will give you more time to help me fight for my retirement as well.

I wish you a long, happy, healthy, and FUN retirement!

[Smarmie Doofus]

16. Thanks. I will help in EVERY POSSIBLE WAY. nt

[longislandAnnie]

11. Congratulations!

Enjoy your freedom to pursue new adventures! My significant other is hoping to do the same as soon as he can!

[Smarmie Doofus]

17. Backatcha, Annie.... and SO's time will come; it won't be long now. n/t

[Rhiannon12866]

12. Kudos! Guess this means we'll be seeing more of you... :)

Enjoy yourself! You've earned it...

[Smarmie Doofus]

18. Well, you'll be reading more of me, anyway. Thanks everybody.

I should have more time to read and post here AND.... one of my modest ambitions is to set-up my own blog and/or website in the very near future.

I'll keep ya' posted.

Thanks again for all the good vibes.

[YvonneCa]

19. Congratulations! And thank you...

...for your service to children. I hope you enjoy your retirement, as I have.

[LWolf]

20. Congratulations!

Thanks for being there for students, even under the worst of conditions.