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--> --> Goodbye Briscoe By Jill Rothman (Joos) Ashland Although I intended to visit this year, I have found myself unable to do so. I have been too sad about not being able to be at Briscoe School every day. I wish I could visit, but instead, I look forward to running into each of you on the streets of Ashland and hugging and talking and talking and hugging. I will try to make it to graduation in June of 2003 and in June of 2004 to see my last students launched. My body has required that I retire from teaching. Even though I had my days when it was hard to drag myself out of bed, even though teaching often seemed a feat designed for Superwoman, even though work is work, no matter how satisfying, I believe I would have been a teacher for many more years had the choice been mine. My first class was a second/third grade blend in 1973 in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Those students are probably older than me by now. From September 1973 until June 2001 (with some breaks from the public schools) teaching has filled me up. I constantly marveled that with hundreds of students passing through my classroom, there were no two alike. I never felt reminded of another student I had three years ago, but instead, felt each student to be a new and completely unique gift to be opened with great pleasure. I cannot thank you enough, my students, for opening so fully to me; for how precious my time with you has been. Being able to continue to watch you grow, in our small and close community, feeds me. I want to thank you, the families who have shared your lives with me, all these years. My life is frequently a stream of parents of former students offering support in a variety of ways. I feel nurtured and loved well beyond the loving and nurturing I have and I thank you all. The staff, at Briscoe, and the Ashland School District is a group of people who works so hard. Our time together was always about how to enhance the lives o the children. I thank you all for the support you gave me, particularly as my health was failing. I hope in these difficult times in the world of education that you will feel as supported as I did. So, this large part of my life is ending. There has been much to let go of and letting go is never easy. I will be singing more. Look for me as Jill Roam, born Rothman, alias Joos. If life's wealth is to be measured by how many we have loved, I am among the richest. I will be loving you, always. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing