News and information for staff members and the Madison community
Vol. II No. 9 - August 6, 2007
Students - Jimmy Lukes and I both started at Gompers Elementary School in 1978. He was a new third grader, I the new school nurse, both of us nervous.
Jimmy and I knew each other from Central Wisconsin Center (CWC). He was a resident on the unit where I was the nurse. He was blind and had just had bilateral hip surgery when I first met him and he spent most of his day lying on a cart.
I was overjoyed when we came in contact again at Gompers where he was one of the first young students from CWC to attend the Madison School District. He was the only person I knew in the entire school and I was the only person he knew. Jimmy started school in a "self-contained" classroom for children who had mental retardation.
Two years later, before Jimmy left for the Janesville School for the Blind, he accompanied, on piano, the spring school performance and I began to understand why all children have the right and privilege to attend public school and why public schools are a treasure.
Jimmy and the many other children with their unique stories influenced my 29 years in the MMSD and I tried to always think of the Jimmy's, Latasha's, Mai's, Maria's and Mary's each time I made a decision that might affect children.
Colleagues — Every morning when I arrived at work, Ann Wilson and I exchanged a "Good Morning." I will miss that. Nothing can compare to the wonderful people that work in the MMSD.
I can use the words privileged and honored when I think of all of the people with whom I have been lucky enough to work, but it is much more than that. I have learned so much from the occupational and physical therapy staff, the psychology and social work staff, the R&E staff, the SAPAR staff, the principals, the teachers, all of the central office staff, the management team with whom I have closely worked the last nine years and last, but not least, the group with whom I started, the health services staff.
For me, the most difficult part of leaving the district is realizing that I won't see the same people that I'm accustomed to seeing, worrying with, planning with, caring about, arguing with, and celebrating with on a daily basis. I will miss you all.
Our children as students - Lars, Ellen and Erik were students in the MMSD over a period of twenty six years, (which means Carl and I were parents in the MMSD for twenty-six consecutive years!) They are doing well. Carl and I extend to their many teachers our heartfelt gratitude for their education, but also for the guidance and support that you gave them as they began to discover who they are and in what they believed. We would not hesitate to send our children to this great school district again, and now.
Thanks - I left when I still wanted to stay. I know that makes little sense to some of you, but I hope to continue to work for another 5-10 years and want to do one more career before I finish working.
I am and will always remain committed to public education and to the Madison Metropolitan School District. I truly loved my work with the District. I wanted to come to work every day and I treasure that fortune.
I have had the opportunity to do many things in the district for which I am also grateful, and have been touched by many people in many departments, in many buildings.
Record your stories about the relationships that you have with the people in your lives; thinking about them or reading the stories on a 'not so good day' can often make that day better. Cherish all children; they really are why we are here. The education is great, but the learning how to relate to others, many of whom are different from one another, is the real gift.
Thank you for the days, weeks, years, memories, friendships, the privilege of working here and all that you have taught me, from your colleague and a highly satisfied mom. It is about the people and the dreams!
Last Updated: Thu Nov 1 13:37:07 2007
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