There hasn't been much to celebrate around our college lately.
There have been budget cuts, fellow workers have been let go, and classes have been cut. Even the cafeteria has cut back on hours and services to save money.
Yesterday, however, all that faded into the background for a few hours as we celebrated graduation.
I work with some pretty amazing people who are dedicated to the art and craft of teaching. Here are just a few of them.
After the ceremony I caught up with some of my former students.
This gentleman as a student in my Intermediate Composition and is a very talented writer.
(He also has a knack for skateboarding across campus without getting caught!)
This graduate is very special to me since I have known her and her family since she was a baby. She was in my literature class and was a great Hamlet in the scenes we did in class!
Yes, our college faces tough times ahead, but today at graduation it was easy to remember why we do it all.
And why we'll return in the fall...
44 comments:
A lovely happy post Betty, what a grand day it must have been.
Yvonne.
College graduation and the grads wear blue? Never seen this before and found it interesting. I always love looking at the faculty's gowns at graduation. Think one of the reasons I don't teach higher learning is because I don't know what ever happen to mine :o/
Ah, budget cuts. We're down to only 650 students or so and tuition is rising and it's getting harder and harder to get students in the door. Especially when tuition is soooo high.
Thanks for sharing the pictures. I love the pictures.
Oh you are a most wonderful teacher BB!!! I love these pics - they speak volumes on why you do what you do and why these bad people who take your funding away and try to demoralise you all for the sake of politics and finance should be ashamed!
Take care
x
It's so sad when budget cuts are made to hospitals and education facilities. How come there are never budget cuts to the 'fat cats' sitting in the government? Very frustrating indeed.
But how wonderful that you were able to catch up with some of your students!
xo Catherine
You are making a difference in those young peoples' lives, Betty. That certainly sounds like a reason to celebrate to me! :D
Very nice. A grand celebration.
BB what great pictures of you looking very 'professorial' and your recently graduated students.
I know you are proud of them and their accomplishments.
Do you teach summer school or will you have time off?
Hugs Madi and Mom
Congratulations to all the graduates. It's such an exciting time! :)
A lovely moment to enjoy. It kind of hurts a bit to lose your favorites.
This is the time of year that we're reminded of renewal and hope. Those graduates are our future--so nice to see their smiling faces (and yours), as if they are ready and more than willing to go out and make the world a better place! Go! Run! :)
I love this time of year, although it's bittersweet. I usually have a dozen or so students exit my program (they age out instead of officially graduate), but I love when what they've done in school leads to doing *something* as an adult.
Great photos. Congratulations (or, congraduations as I often think at this time of year... because I try to be less wordy like that) on making it through another year.
I was told if you love what you do, money in the end doesn't really matter. As much budget as they will cut, they'll never take the reward you get from seeing your students graduate, it's priceless.
It says a lot about a teacher when students want to have their pictures taken with her at graduation. Congratulations to the grads; but congratulations to you, too, for a job well done.
I still remember most of my college professors- undergrad and grad and truly appreciate, to this day, all that I learned from them. All of our daughters are either college graduates or still in college and they will all tell you the professors who made such a difference in their lives. So, to all college professors who love what they do- a HUGE THANK YOU!
Well, blow me down. I had no idea you taught at the college level. I thought you were a high school teacher. No wonder your posts are so 'essay' like.
How cool! I wish the new graduates all the best!!!
Lovely moments in these young people's lives. Spring and graduations always remind me of new beginnings and new paths!
Aww, that's great! I bet those students of yours will always remember you fondly. Don't you love the payoff days?
Lovely memories you're making Betty...Enjoy your day!
hughugs
The same kind of budjet cuts are happening in our school system over here as well. My daughters who art department has been cut. Seems like it is always culture that goes first. great post
Nice to hear about such a happy occasion! Graduations are always so fabulous...all the hard work to get there..congrats to all of them!
The one day that all the budget cuts, layoffs and other stresses, takes a break and the mood is celebratory!
The world needs more people just like you!
Happy Grad day!! I hope your college sees some good times ahead, too. Love the love you have for your students. :)
Focus on the positive!
Such unpompous pomp. This year's vintage harvested, now reward yourself for a job well done with a relaxing yet purposeful summer.
Yay for her! I didn't know she was graduating! And she was an awesome person in the class :)
See you around in the Fall and Spring to come BB!
http://theadorkableditzmissteps.blogspot.com/
Congrats to the graduates and their professors! I remember many of mine. You good ones have an impact you cannot imagine.
Here's to a relaxing summer off!
Congrats to you and to her. Really awesome.
That is a big day for the teachers as well as the students!
I teach high school but we have the same budget issues hanging over us.
Next week I'll be saying good by to my seniors. It's so bittersweet as we send them out into the world.
These are indeed hard times in higher ed, but you said it well. Graduation is a time to celebrate. I congratulate you on all you do to make sure your students have a positive learning experience.
Great pictures! It's nice to catch up with students from the past. :)
Oh, you are so darn cute in that cap and gown!!
I was wondering that last night at our end-o-the-year concert--how do you continuously watch those kids graduate? Do you become numb to the fact that they are leaving?
Love the pics Betty! It's so nice to see you! You can sure rock that gown!
Graduation already ?? This year is
flying by at warp speed...
These pictures made me smile, Betty. Congratulations to you and the graduates.
xoRobyn
Great pictures! It's hard to believe it's that time of year already... Where does the time go?
Any many still HOPE to be returning in the fall! Sad times right now for our educational futures.
Congrats to you and the ones who graduated. This will soon become a luxury. Sigh!!
Hugs
SueAnn
It must be nice to see a tangible result of your labors during the year. My son is embarking on his last year of college and I wish him and all the other students well. :)
You are so right about that day and why all is good. Milestones must be marked and graduation is one of those. You look great with the grads..
That is awesome. :) I would consider myself incredibly lucky if you were my English teacher!! :)
Graduation is always a wonderful time!
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