Letter of Resignation Today...

“I will resign as of 4:00 p.m., June 4th, 2003.

Seven years in the HS shop is enough... for now.

I'm excited about whatever lies beyond the horizon.”

“Welcome to the next chapter of your life, gojo...”

“Why?”

“Congratulations Gojo, and good luck. I hope you make it out here so I can get the chance to meet you!”

“Why?

Wow, where do I start...

One of the myriad reasons is a steady decline in the number of "redneck" boys. They aren't necessarily the sharpest tools in the shed, but their hands-on work ethic is exemplary.

In seven years, our district has grown from exurban to darn near urban. Henry Co., GA, is among the fastest growing counties in America, per capita. The demographics has changed dramatically.

I drip with weaknesses, professionally speaking, but have always been propped-up by my strengths. As long as I am of benefit to a majority of my kids, I'll continue to teach. Well, now the beneficiaries are a minority. Time to skoot.

Also, I have the seven year itch. I'm ready to hit the road w/o a timetable. This summer's roadtrip will likely stretch well into the fall.

I wanna do a through-hike of a major trail - most likely the Florida Natl. Trail. I could do that one in the winter.”

“Why?

Wow, where do I start...

One of the myriad reasons is a steady decline in the number of "redneck" boys. They aren't necessarily the sharpest tools in the shed, but their hands-on work ethic is exemplary.

In seven years, our district has grown from exurban to darn near urban. Henry Co., GA, is among the fastest growing counties in America, per capita. The demographics has changed dramatically.

I drip with weaknesses, professionally speaking, but have always been propped-up by my strengths. As long as I am of benefit to a majority of my kids, I'll continue to teach. Well, now the beneficiaries are a minority. Time to skoot.

Also, I have the seven year itch. I'm ready to hit the road w/o a timetable. This summer's roadtrip will likely stretch well into the fall.

I wanna do a through-hike of a major trail - most likely the Florida Natl. Trail. I could do that one in the winter.”

“Why?

Wow, where do I start...

One of the myriad reasons is a steady decline in the number of "redneck" boys. They aren't necessarily the sharpest tools in the shed, but their hands-on work ethic is exemplary.

In seven years, our district has grown from exurban to darn near urban. Henry Co., GA, is among the fastest growing counties in America, per capita. The demographics has changed dramatically.

I drip with weaknesses, professionally speaking, but have always been propped-up by my strengths. As long as I am of benefit to a majority of my kids, I'll continue to teach. Well, now the beneficiaries are a minority. Time to skoot.

Also, I have the seven year itch. I'm ready to hit the road w/o a timetable. This summer's roadtrip will likely stretch well into the fall.

I wanna do a through-hike of a major trail - most likely the Florida Natl. Trail. I could do that one in the winter.”

“Dang!”

“good luck, i still have the wooden airplane i made in shop class”

“Good luck gojo. Have you thought of relocating to a more rural county in another state? I fully understand about the kids you described. I'd rather teach them any day. Once long ago I taught in a very rural school and I regret leaving.”

“Move over here to Alabama. No shortage of redneck boys here.

PS. gojo, I talked with the Talladega NF ranger today about a trip next weekend. I was concerned about vandalism. He said there was an outbreak about a year or two ago, but nothing since. He said that one guy got a window broken at Chinnabee. I said, yeah, I "know" that guy. That surprised him. No vandalism since you got nailed. That was good news since I'm parking at Turnipseed next Fri and Sat.”

“You sure like to drive a point home. Good luck to you in your pursuits...”

“congrats Gojo. My mom is retiring from teaching this year as well. She did 30 years teaching english in a Catholic High School. I think she is feeling the same way you are.

Happy trails dude.”

“Yeah. Twice I hit the "send" button to find the server busy. It went through the third time (and first and second, apparently).

Dayhiker -
Wow! I'm a celebrity!

I've decided that I will in the future pay to park within Cheaha SP. The "loop" is still easily accessable from there. It would prolly be possible to park at the maintenance garage there, too - that would be free. I figure they'd allow me to do so after what happened last time.”

“GOOD LUCK BRO

YOUR DOING WHAT MOST ONLY DREAM ABOUT”

“Congratulations Gojo! I'm behind you, by one year and cannot wait to turn in that letter.”

“I'm breaking it to my employers on Monday...”

“"good luck, i still have the wooden airplane i made in shop class"

jmitch
10:50:19 AM
03/21/03


One of the most effective teaching tools I've discovered is model building. The kids frame houses, sheds, greenhouses, etc. at either 3/4" or one inch scale. They build exact floor, wall, ceiling, and roof systems. They manufacture the scale lumber at our own "sawmill". They get to keep the models, too.”

“Do you have an intinerary yet as to when and where you'll be this summer?

I assume you'll be traveling west to see your brother in Idaho again...possibly through my neck of the woods again?

Maybe you'd like to teach young grade school kids up at Valley. It's a real one room school house about 40 miles up the South Fork Valley. Complete with house for teacher. You could live amongst the Elk, Deer and Big Horn sheep.”

“Gojo, good for you! Sounds like a good decision.

Speaking as another one who is dissatisfied with current career, I am jealous. Difference is, I literally can't afford a career change... :( So I am stuck, at least for a few more years.”

“FREAKIN' DROOL!

A year or so after visiting Atlanta, ID, I found a listing for a teacher at their one room school. Man - that would be SWEET!

My summer itenerary?
Into Canada through MN, westward to the coast, then down into WA and OR before hitting ID.

My homeward route is still up in the air, though.
(that is if I return to GA).”

“I remember building a shelf which I still have.”

“My oldest brother built a wagonwheel chandalier. He started with only the hub and rim. After doing the woodwork, he added four kerosene lamps fitted with incandescent light sockets. He still has it some 35 years later.”

“I built the ugliest birdhouse ever made.”

“Betcha didn't...”

“A 7 year itch, eh? Next month will be my 25th year with the same company, so imagine the rash I have.

Good luck to ya Gojo!”

“BTW -
I use the generic term "shop teacher". Specifically, I teach Construction.

The first year students build the Worlds Best Built Portable Storage Buildings.

They also learn residential wiring.

2nd and 3rd year students (combined class) learn commercial wiring and build a fairly large, portable greenhouse. They also take care of the school's "honey do" list, ie, hang chalkboards, stagecraft for drama, install audio/video/computer equipment, light remodeling, etc.

My first and second year, we built a masonry garage to match the school. It has concrete blockwalls, a truss roof, overhead door, and brick veneer. THAT was an excellent project.

If I were to return next year, we would have started construction of outdoor classrooms, boardwalk, and suspension bridge in the swampland adjacent to the school. Oh well.”

“Good Luck Gojo.... I hope it all goes very well.”

“good luck man - if ya'd like to hook up any time, let me know, i'm in mn right now, headin off on foot on april 26th, spend about a month and a half in northern mn before heading east - i'll be around, but you have a more mobile means of transporation.”

“I'm going to risk parking on 281 at Turnipseed. It sounded encouraging that the last go around of vandalism was when you got nailed. Was that one or two years ago? We'll be at the trailhead at 3 CST or 4 EST a week from today for any takers. We're doing 9 miles on Friday and 20 on Saturday. I have to be home by 8 CST on Sun, so I'll get up early and head home (1 hr away).

Yes, you are a celebrity. I've tried to post this on Hiking Alabama all day without luck, their server is down.”

“You're jealious of Jerbear aren't you???

Best wishes on your future endeavors, brother! Look forward to seeing you again some day. Heres to Happy trails and comfy steps!! ;-)”

“good luck! a very ballsy move, I dig it!”

“WOW, Gojo...you'da'man!

btw - I still have my scale-model half-pipe skateboard ramp I made in HS.”

“Gojo, good for you. i think its great that you gave 7 years as a teacher. I also think its great that you are bold enough to move on instead of growing stale.”

“Carpe diem! Its a blast. Kick and enjoy. Yo bear!”

“Carpe diem" = "carp dough" in Latin? LOL!

A couple of my kids built a scale half-pipe, too.

Last year, a couple got together and built an actual "fun box".

dh -
The vandalism occured 1-1/2 years ago on a rainy Labor Day weekend.

Nothing really "bold" about the move, IMO. Heck, I'm single, don't own anything but my truck, and am more employable than ever. I'll be getting paychecks until the end of August - auto deposit, ATM card. I don't see any particular reason to hang around here...

I wouldn't be surprised to land a H.S. Industrial Arts teaching job out west this summer. Maybe Job Corps even.

State Park maintenance man? Forest Service? Freakin' Natl Park?

Playing it by ear, baby. Playing it by ear...”

“Good luck Gojo.”

“Sadly, those courses are all but gone in California public schools. If they are not required for college, they don't get funded during tought times. Interestingly, some before school "engineering" programs are turning kids away. The kid realize how important they can be.

Good luck!!”

“Wow gojo, good luck man. Change can be so good for you, I hope it treats you well.”

“Good luck Gojo.”

“WTF?
Last night I got depressed at the thought leaving.

Mebbe it's natural. You know, akin to the stages of greef, ie, denial, acceptance, etc...”

“Night time always brings those kinds of thoughts. I don't know why. It always looks brighter the next day, like your head is a little clearer.”

“I realized today that that kinda thought (What will I do?!) isn't important right now.

What's important is that I finish this year with a bang. Then, live as long as necessary on my remaining three months salary as I cleanse my soul of the past seven years.

By then I'll have decided what to do.”

“Good Luck Gojo! I'm sure you'll find something good.”