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Cynthia Fridlich's avatar

The best. I was an old adult graduating from undergrad and i was pretty scared too, lol! But when Rita, our college prez at the time merely winked at me, it meant the world to me. Having no parents there to be “proud of me” in attendance, that wink .....what can I say!?

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Susan Campbell's avatar

You know, it’s such a huge thing, that wink. I’ve had moments like that when I was the one who needed reassuring, and that was everything. And good on you, for completing that particular task!

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Cynthia Fridlich's avatar

Thank ya muchly

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Mary Ann Dimand's avatar

Well done! There's a special leverage to the Quite Intentional Education of the "non-traditional student."

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Ava's avatar

I love your moments! We owe you what I consider my highest compliment: Teacher!

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I'm honored. And thank you.

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Janet's avatar

That mace really becomes you! I’m sure your students were as proud of you as you were of them.

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Thomas Dombroski's avatar

If only you had an orb to go with that septer

I never had a problem with being in front of a crowd but my youngest was very shy

She was going to college after high school but she put her plans on pause after a couple of years because of her personal situation

I assured her that it wasn’t something that she should be ashamed of and that some of the coolest and most interesting people I knew didn’t know what they wanted to do in life until they were in their 40s

So she entered the workforce which turned out to be exactly what she needed to do

She worked in retail for Best Buy , Burlington coat factory and she worked in customer service for a ticket resale firm

Dealing with not only coworkers and bosses but also with the general public helped her with her shyness

She also started taking online classes and this Saturday she is taking her walk across the stage to pick up her diploma for early childhood education

I hope the weather is as nice as it was for you but to be honest I think she can deal with rain on her parade at this point in her life

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Why did I tear up over this, a little? It's not always the brightest thing to rush from high school into college, and I'm not talking about a little gap year, either. Some of us should take more time. I'm pretty sure I should have, but I didn't even realize that was an option. My heartiest congratulations to your youngest. She doesn't know me from a toad in the road, but please tell her I'm cheering from over here.

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Cynthia Fridlich's avatar

40? I’m 64 3/4s and have a new direction for my telos! Onwards!

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Jeannette LeSure's avatar

I wish I'd had someone like you in college. My advisor could not have been clearer in his approach that he hated this part of his job. No help. YOU are pure gold, woman. Shut up and just accept the truth from me, The Empress of All. Your exchanges were gold for you all.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

This part drives me up a tree sometimes, but it's the one place where you know you can have an impact.

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Cynthia Fridlich's avatar

Indeed

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Roger Wiseman's avatar

Just lovely. I get a moment when I read a story like this. Susan, I so appreciate your humanity and your humor.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I was my honor to lock eyes with this student, and I was thrilled to meet the other student's family. I add this to the list of reasons of Why I Teach.

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Mary Ann Dimand's avatar

Thank you for those wonderful accounts. :)

You make me miss teaching. :D

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Wow. I will miss it when I stop, though I intend to adjunct teach until they haul me out on a stretcher.

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