Just walked back into my office to find a big poster signed by about 100 kids. All kinds of messages like "where would we be without you?" and "I will graduate thanks to you" etc. The poster declares today a day of mourning as it is my last day...and they dedicated this year to me, "The Year of Keeler". LOL! Had a couple of calls from parents of present students and past students...and a call from a former student from her car on her way to enlist in the Navy. She told me she was moving forward toward independence and will forever remember me telling her that she should never have to depend on anyone...so she left her deadbeat boyfriend and is on her way. Wow. A little party in the office....

I am about to walk out of a high school as a teacher/administrator for the last time. 16 years worth of memories. I am truly looking forward to my new position and the impact I hope to have, but will forever miss the culture of high school from the perspective that comes with being intimately involved with all aspects, from scheduling to teaching to disciplining. Bittersweet for sure. I am excited about coming back in a month and taking my place on stage for graduation one last time.