At the end of
the summer term teachers gather in the staffroom to say goodbye to colleagues
who are leaving. This usually involves a speech being made about the teacher in
question, often by a senior member of staff, followed by a speech of thanks
from the departing teacher. To save everyone a lot of time, I have prepared two
speeches that can be rolled out on just such occasions, especially for two people who are not overly fond of each other. No need to thank me.
Senior
Staff Member
‘As (insert
name) moves on to pastures new, it is time for us to celebrate their
achievements at this school and reflect on the practitioner they have become.
They have developed into a teacher who is renowned for doing things their own
way. Someone who is happy to take a risk, whether that be spending all of the
budget in the first few days of the year, or teaching ‘freestyle’, giving the
students that wonderful opportunity to create their own learning. Whilst many
teachers are engrossed in the more traditional practices of lesson planning and
marking, (insert name) has taken a very modern and liberal approach, enabling
the students to make progress in new and experimental ways. I need barely tell
you how devastated I was to lose such an innovative teacher when they were ‘headhunted’
by another school, but I am sure that I and the rest of the staff will never
forget the difference you have made. Teaching here will never be the same
again.’
Departing
Teacher
‘Firstly,
thank you (insert name) for such very kind words. You have been a source of
inspiration to me in so many ways over the years. Your subtle style of
leadership has allowed me to become the teacher I am today - unfettered by the
support that other members of the school have received. You have enabled me to
concentrate on delivering outstanding lessons without the extra burden of bureaucracy
and the added complications of accurate data. Whilst other teams have had their
time taken up by meetings, you have given us the chance to plan and manage
ourselves. So, my journey. When I first boarded the
train to outstanding, you took me under your wing, giving advice freely, even
if they were ideas you never practised yourself. As I gathered pace, rocketing
past the stations of ‘satisfactory’ and ‘average’, you kept my wheels glued to the
track with your constant, incessant, constructive criticism. As I screeched to
a halt at the station of ‘outstanding’, you were not there to greet me, but I knew
you were behind me all the way. Many thanks. This journey would not have been
the same without you. And of course, my journey would not have been gratifying and life-changing without the students.’
Very funny!
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteHilarious!
ReplyDeleteHilarious..you nailed it! Love the 'departing teachers' comments!
ReplyDeleteOh how I've wanted to give similar speeches!
ReplyDeletepriceless! love it. We had a similar one where a retiring music teacher thanked the caretaker and his staff for keeping the school clean! noone knew where to look very funny.
ReplyDeleteVery good indeed! Tho not in the teaching profession, I can still see the looks on both the speech givers' faces whilst listening to the other...
ReplyDeleteYou've done a great service in preparing these, Phil! I'm one of the few non teachers (unless you count Sunday school, lol) in my family. They will thank you to the stars for these! Perfection. :)
ReplyDelete