Every day she logs on to her computer and posts a random science thought of the day. From Hurricane Earl to Katrina it is all here connected with the tools that engage students. Recently she wrote, “Hurricanes that are hundreds of miles away can still cause high ocean waves.” On another day she posted, “Force equal mass times acceleration. A truck has far more mass than a car. That is why getting hit by a truck going at 30 miles an hour would be far more painful than getting hit by a car at 30 miles an hour.” The students always appreciated her posts and many productive comments and discussions would follow the post.
After posting she typically wrapped a bandana around her head, slipped into her stockings, stepped into her boots, and headed for the car in the driveway anticipating another day at Burrhus Frederic Skinner High School. However, today would be very different for Cecelia Kool. It was her last day at the school as tomorrow she began her new venture; the start of the Thomas Elkins School of Invention.
This school would begin by servicing grades 9 and 10 and over a period of 5 years it would also service the K-8 grades as well as grades 11 and 12. Additionally, her school would encourage Special Needs students to join the school and offer various hands-on internships and job based programs. For a long time it was her dream to design a school and a accompanying curriculum that taught through the exploration of famous inventions, build similar contraptions, and produce futuristic inventions. The timing was right. Her children were all grown up. Her husband Joe Kool was very supportive and helped her obtain the community support needed for this project. Never the less, she dreaded this day. It was hard to say farewell to her students and colleagues.
As she walked the hall everyone wished her good luck and told her that she would be sorely missed. Even Michael Lotta the new Assistant Principal would only speak kind words. In fact, if you looked closely, for a brief moment it looked like Michael had a tear in his eye. For those who really knew Michael it was not so surprising. Beneath that gruff exterior laid a decent man who still cared about the kids. He just believed that being tough was important as it prepared students for the real world. Yet even Michael would never speak ill of his colleague Cecilia. He understood her way was reaching children. Quite often he had said, if more teachers had Cecilia’s magic, I would not have to do what I do.
Later that day, a luncheon was held in her honor. Teachers and student alumni shared stories of what this great woman did for the past 25 years. One student alumnus shared how every week she dissected the MacGyver television show and would recreate the contraptions showcased. The student further related how this inspired him to go to med school. As the afternoon ensued other stories were related and by the end of the luncheon there was not a dry eye in the room.
Soon enough the day would end. Cecilia dipped into the pocket of her raincoat, pulled out her SmartPhone, and wrote the following status update;
“To my students and colleagues. Thank you for a wonderful 25 years. As I embark on this new journey, I leap forth with excitement to what the future brings but will miss you terribly so for your companionship has meant so much to me. Keep strong and continue to inspire all those that surround you.”
And so it was. Cecilia left the building, entered her car, and could be heard humming;
“So many faces in and out of my life,
Some will last, some will just be now and then.
Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes-
I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again.”
Editors Note- This story is dedicated to all the great teachers who keep on working tirelessly for our children.
34 comments:
I found this article interesting. In my experience, working in the school system for the Department of Education, there are some teachers who really make an impact. All of us, as educators, should make an impact like this teacher did. Hopefully, throughout my career, as an educator, i can change a student's life around for the better, make a difference in some students world, that could make them a better, more productive member of our society.
Shauna Desouza.
A great article. It reminded so much of a dedicated teacher I had who I could always depend on to push me the next limit. She was always there to give a helping hand, yet she too had left. Only that she did not leave to help others, she died. I never forget what she did for me during my high school years. Mrs. kool seem to be a devoted teacher who looked for academic success with her children, no wonder the students spoke so highly about her. I can feel their fear because I too knew what a good teacher was like and I lost her.
This story provides great insight into the life of a teacher who truly cares about her students. She devoted every day of her life to her high school, and when the time came where she felt she had to do something new she took it. This doesn't mean that it was easy, it obviously wasn't. Everyone knows when you lose a good one in a school building, their absence can be felt like a weight on the entire school's shoulders. Cecilia brought this kind of light to her school, I hope to one day have a similar impact on my students and colleagues.
I think it is a wonderful thing when teachers go above and beyond for their students. This teacher did so by using a platform that was accessible to many - the computer- and it allows her to be around even when she physically isn't there. It gave students and staff the impression (and truth) that she always cared, which raised the students' spirits and kept them in the classroom wanting to work.
Some people might think of it as a sad story.In the contrary it's a great story of a teacher, I believe that all dedicated teachers feel the same. What amazing is that many people will remember her and her help. I sort of share my feeling with this teacher because my former students remember me and very grateful for what I have done for them.
Boris Balan
This is a great article on a teacher that worked for a school for 25 years and inspired many students and staff,but unfortunately she had left and go to a another journey in her life.There are many inspiring teachers that leave after some time in their teaching career and many students do get upset because they feel comfortable with a teacher,also a teacher that a student looks up to and hard to replace a good teacher. I do feel she had to move on to her next journey in life ,so that way she can inspire different students and staff.
I think that it is great that Cecilia had the passion to open up a school that will welcome special needs children. The school of invention she has in mind sounds very interesting. It seems like she knows what she is doing and that she is well-liked.
What an inspiring article. Mrs. Kool is a teacher I look up to and aspire to be. I can remember many of my teachers throughout my educational career who have inspired and made an impact on who I am today. I only hope to have this same impact on my students.
This article makes me think of all the moments we have to say "good bye". When we say it to our students at the end of the year, our classmates, or teaching colleagues if we need to leave to move on in life!
Antonina Nefedov
EDSN 650
I think this article speaks to the fact that teachers are sometimes not appreciated as they should be. I think the work that teachers do sometimes goes unnoticed. In the story here we see how old students and coworkers appreciate the work that she has done in her career and they have a great amount of respect for her.
Christopher Guardini
I think that it is important to have an impact of your students. That being said its obviously impossible to impact every student's life, however even if you change one, its worth it. One life can make a huge difference in the world, so its important for teachers to try their best all the time.
I feel like teachers who really have a passion for what they teach make the BEST teachers. And quite often I don't understand people who decide to become teachers just BECAUSE. Luckily I had a chance to meet few teachers in my life who were devoted to their job and tried to make a difference. I remember when I started loving history. I was in fourth grade and sub teacher who was there only for a month made me fall in love with this subject. I don't remember his name or the way he looked. But i remember the enthusiasm he brought into the classroom and fun his students were having in his classes. I'm thankful till this day because this teacher showed me that learning is fun!
EDSN 650
Kyle Noto
Some teachers become huge impacts in many students lives. This is the type of teacher i would love to become. Being able to know I have gotten through to many students over the year and to be remembered as someone that honestly cared and pushed them to do their very best.
After reading this article, I would have to say I aspire to be just like Ms. Kool. Every teacher hopes to leave her job with a lasting impression on her students. By doing this, it shows that at least she has touched the lives of some students. Therefore, leaving the job as successful as she felt coming in.
Victoria Sortino
EDSN 650
As teachers, we strive to make some sort of impact on the students we teach, even hoping to impact the staff along the way too. We want to leave a memory worth remembering. Cecila had a big impact on her students and those around her. As teachers, we have to learn as we go on as well. We learn from the children and our colleagues. Being a teacher, we have to learn and experience. A successful teacher never stops learning and experiencing, treating every student as equally as possible.
Teachers are many times some of the most powerful and influential people in students lives. Spending 8-9 hours a day at school for a majority of the year can almost make it feel like a second home, provided there are teachers, counselors and staff committed to the success of the new young generations. The teacher in this article seemed to be quite inspirational and impact-full in the school and I hope that one day I will be able to do the same. Dedicating one's life to the betterment of others can be a very demanding and thankless jobs, but it is because of Teachers, like Mrs. Kool, that we not only see the brightest students succeed, but also those who have strayed and fell off the path. In my own experience, I have come across countless teachers who are difficult to get along with and horrible to be around. Those teachers not only make it difficult for students, they also blemish the name of all teachers alike. However, beacons of light, hope and unconditional support can always be found in those teachers who dedicate themselves to the pursuit of success and progress. Teachers who not only teach in the classroom, but also outside of the classroom. They teach content through the lens of citizenship and social awareness. Good teachers teach to pass the class, but the best teacher prepare young generations for life.
Edward Giordano,
Cecilia has a unique way how to reach students. This article was inspiring. As i worked in the D.O.E for several years, i have seen who had made an impact and not. I wish i can make an impact on students as much as Cecilia. Her random posting of "Fun facts" every week is a good motivating tool teachers can use in their lesson. I know that i would be engaged as a student by those fun facts.
Vincent T. Miller
EDSN 650
Spring 2018
Some people might think of it as a sad story.In the contrary it's a great story of a teacher, I believe that all dedicated teachers feel the same. What amazing is that many people will remember her and her help. I sort of share my feeling with this teacher because my former students remember me and very grateful for what I have done for them. I think it is a wonderful thing when teachers go above and beyond for their students. This teacher did so by using a platform that was accessible to many and it allows her to be around even when she physically isn't there.
This article is a true example of teacher who truly cared about her students. Being that she worked at the school for so many years her inspiration to them was immeasurable. Change is inevitable in the field of education and it truly does affect the way students feel. It may take students longer than others to adapt to the changes even if it is just getting a new teacher. I view this article as a positive movement. This educator had to leave and provide other students and staff members with her talents.
I think this is great! It is always good to know that you have or had someone inspiring in your life as a child growing up. Unfortunately it is always sad to say goodbye to someone you truly found amazing as a teacher. Until today I still remember my 4th and 5th grade teacher, how wonderful and inspirational they were and I still see my 4th grade teacher around the school.
Ruti Iskhakov
Spring 2018
EDSN 650
This is a great article on Cecila impacting her students and those around her.That are many inspiring teachers that leave and students get upset because they feel so comfortable with them and had an impact.
Fitore D Tues-650-edsn
This story remind me of another chapter of life that is being closed. Some parts of life are easier than others. This one was one of the harder moments. There was a routine for this person, and now it ended. She was comfortable with the faces she saw daily, and lives she touched. The good thing is that even though this is over, she can continue on with her career, and hopefully touch the lives of others.
J Pucci
Spring 18
This is the kind of teacher I aspire to be. One that leaves an impact on her students. The program that she has and the way that she set everything up made it so that many of her students remembered her even years after she had taught them.
I found this article very interesting. As a teacher, my goal when I started was to make an impact on peoples lives. When I meet someone, if it is a student, teacher or parent, I want them to remember me. I have had teachers in my past that I remember a memory or two with. They were great, they cared, they showed acts of kindness and they had an impact in my life. Therefore, I strive to have that one or two impacts on someone's life. If it is a kind word, encouraging moment, motivation, whatever it is, I want to continue with that desire in my spirit of having an impact on someone's life. As teachers, let's be memorable and make a difference e in someone's life. So that when they look back 20 years from now and reflect, you are one of the faces that had an impact in their life.
-Yokasta 650
This article really touched me. I have been teaching at All My Children for the past 6 years and love it so much. I have had 3 generations of children and have gotten really close with the families. The staff is a really close knit family and I can not imagine leaving. However, one day I know that I will have to leave and move on to bigger and better things. After 25 years of giving her heart and soul to the students she taught, there wasn't a dry eye when it came time for Cecilia to leave. She truly inspired her students and they felt the love from her. I think we as teachers need our goal to be to inspire our students so that one day when we leave them, they feel a sense of fulfillment from us. When I was younger I had a teacher whom I really connected with. I had her for only one hear, but she was the one that inspired me to be a teacher myself. I will never forget her, and hope I am able t give that same feeling to even one of my students.
I believe everyone has encountered at least one teacher in their lifetime that has truly motivated them and pushed them to strive for the best in anything they try to attempt. And as educators, we try to be those role models and motivators for our students. While reading this article I can't help but remember my 12th grade Social Studies teacher, who pushed me and motivated me and made me believe I can win the WISE project, which is a city wide competition on a public policy issue. With her help and guidance I won 3rd place and got awarded scholarship money for college! It is people like Mrs. Sanchez who put their heart and soul in their jobs and make it feel more then just a job who make going to school interesting! So I solute teachers like Cecilia and Mrs. Sanchez for all that they do for their children and hope to be just as inspiring as them one day.
This show's how much of an impact a teacher can have on children. I would love to have such an impact on my students some day. She is very dedicated to her students.
This was a great article it can show the impact teacher have on students. What most teachers want is to guide students and help them find their path. The teacher in this article inspired some of her students. The one student that came back to tell the story of how his teacher inspired him to go to med school, this is every teachers dream. You want to create a spark in your students so they can go on and explore all the possibilities that the world has. This teacher knows that she has done a lot of good work over the years and it is her time to move on to something new. It can be hard to move on after so many years in one place, but she can go somewhere else and inspire a whole new group of students.
Angelique Ramsing
I have always held the belief students will remember their school teachers. So as educators we want to make sure we have a positive impact on student learning and impressions about life we present to them.
M. Piriz - Spring 2019 - EDSN 650
A person who wants to be an educator should love what they do. I have seen teachers who are miserable and they project their emotions on their students. The students therefore, do not feel enthusiastic about a class that is not motivating. The teacher in this article loved what she did. Everyone in the school appreciated her contribution as an educator. This is why I believe in being as professional as possible at work. You do your job to the best of your ability and no one can take that away from you. This teacher felt that she had to go further to educate students and embarked on a new journey to accomplish her mission. A 25 year career and a new educational project demonstrate a passion for the education field.
This article reminds me of my high school math teacher, who is completely the opposite of a dedicated and caring teacher like Cecilia. And I remember thinking to myself "if a person like this can become a teacher, I believe I can do a much better job, and become everything that he is not". For me, a good teacher is not only knowledgeable, but should also understand his/her students, including who they are and what they need, or at least try to do so. I believe teaching and learning can only happen when a strong connection and trust is built, and also that "people will forget what you did, but will never forget how you made them feel."
Yicong Teng
EDSN 650
Teachers are always impacting the lives of their students. Sometimes without even knowing they are making great impacts on their students. As teachers we need to attempt to make positive impacts on the life of the students we interact throughout our teaching career.
EDSN 650
Hyunsook Chung
It is a great inspiring story!
I think it is always hard to begin something new in life and harder to change the life style. I can only imagine how Cecilia would feel to leave the building after working for 25 years. However, according to the article, she looks ready to move on. I love the people from school is saying good bye to her in a sad, but good way.It reminds me of the song " Time To Say Goodbye" sang by Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman. Such a lovely song and touching song. I would love to be a teacher who can provide a positive impact on each student whoever I meet through my career. I am very nervous about changing my career from a paraprofessional to a teacher. I think about this career change every day especially since it is my last semester from Touro.
I will remember her article to build motivation to continue to be a good educator.
Teachers can have a huge impact on the engagement of the students that they interact with. This teacher seems to go above and beyond what is required of a teacher. She really looks for ways to connect to her students. Simple things, such as a science thought of the day, can promote discussions and debates when the students can relate to the topic. Incorporating blogs is a great way of encouraging students to think about the world around us and interacting with each other to shape their understanding of the world. This teacher truly made a difference in the lives of the students that she taught and the teachers that she worked with. Teaching is a very emotional career and every decision you make affects the people around you. Students remember the teachers that show how much they care.
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