Lopatka's Good Bye Notes
The King e-mailed me a list of things that Andy Rooney has learned
Andy Rooney a man who has the gift of saying so much with so
few words.I took a few of them that applied to my years of teaching. The complete
list follows my list.
Change, prevents Burn out Beethoven 13 years, (3rd,
4th, 5th, 6th and reading teacher.) Camp 5 years with Star Lab ,Poor pay and 4 kids required me to take on some Part
time jobs. (Adler Planetarium,
Forging Steel) 21 years at Randolph,
classroom teacher, With Tia (Sci. Fair) and Ed. Bannon. science lab teacher, Substitute. Technology coordinator, GLOBE and NASA teacher
I've learned....That being kind is more important than being
right. (Learned that from Mom and Dad.
I've learned....That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
I've learned....That life is tough, but teachers have to be tougher.
I've learned....That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow
He may have to eat them.
I've learned....That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I've learned....That the less time I have to work with, the
more things I get done. Report cards attendance books, class lists, Etc. Etc. Etc. While
keeping 30 some kids safe and entertained while they meet standards that were
written by people that never faced a group of children.
I've learned....That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
Friends are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us.
Room 219 sent me some cards with the following jewels:
"I heard you were at Randolph for 40 years, It's time for you to Retire. Anonymous
You are the best Science teacher in the universe. Derrell Garrett
I love you like you are my dad. Jessica
Through your teaching, there was preaching
But you have to retire
And we all know that you have to go
This is a special time to say
Happy retirement day
Latimer Bostic
Dear Mr. Lopatka,
I'm going to miss you and I'm sorry you are going to retire. I will never forget you. The rocket is going into space with you and always,
Dorothy
For days to come, you will have your way. On this retirement day for you to go is like rain on my door. And you know that we loved everything that you did because without you we would be lost and now that you are leaving, I will miss you and you know that you will miss us too.
Johnnie Mayfield
Complete List
They're written by Andy Rooney a man who has the gift of saying
so much with so few words. Enjoy........
I've learned....That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
I've learned....That when you're in love, it shows.
I've learned....That just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.
I've learned....That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful
feelings in the world.
I've learned....That being kind is more important than being right.
I've learned....
That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
I've learned....That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to
help him in some other way.
I've learned....That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs
a friend to act goofy with.
I've learned....That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to
understand.
I've learned....That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
I've learned....That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I've learned....That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
I've learned....That money doesn't buy class.
I've learned....That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I've learned...That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I've learned....That the Lord didn't' do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?
I've learned....That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I've learned....That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
I've learned....That love, not time, heals all wounds.
I've learned....That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
I've learned....
That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
I've learned....
That there's nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling
their breath on your cheeks.
I've learned....
That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
I've learned....
That life is tough, but I'm tougher.
I've learned....
That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
I've learned....
That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
I've learned....
That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before.
she passed away.
I've learned....
That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
I've learned....That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I've learned....That I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.
I've learned....That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.
I've learned....That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness
and growth occurs while you're climbing it.
I've learned ...That it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life threatening situation.
I've learned....That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done. Friends are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us.