How to Retire Joyfully!

Hi SLP Friends!

    Last Friday was the big day.  I managed to leave the building without turning into a blubbering mess, and now am sitting at home reflecting over a glass of wine (maybe a couple of glasses).  For the last two weeks, I've been showered with warm wishes, nice notes, gifts, parties, hugs, and flowers.  After 24 years in the same school, I left--  turned in the key, peeled snapshots of my students off the bulletin board, cleaned out the desk, grabbed my coffee cup.  The retirement has been awesome, and I now have a collection of tips to make yours great too (if you are working as an SLP in the schools)

1.  Make sure you work for a wonderful school.

2. Make sure you work with a wonderful team of talented, but friendly and supportive SLPs.

3. Love the kids, but also appreciate the parents.  "There but for the grace of God go I."

I guess it all comes down to this:  If you find the right school, work with the right team, and love the people with whom you interact, you will love retirement when the time is right.  I leave with no regrets, no bitterness, only happy memories, and am looking ahead to new adventures both in the speech world and in life.  

I WILL continue blogging, by the way, and have a clearer, freer mind to make new materials.  Come back soon!

I do love the parents, and one wrote this awesome article about me in the paper.  Check it out!

My hair looks a bit wind swept in the picture, ha ha.  This article was great in that it told the community that we all make a difference in the lives of kids.  That works for me.

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