To whom it may concern:
I
wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your trust in me. You took a
chance on an East Coast kid, and gave him an opportunity to sink or swim on his
own merits. I like to think that I swam (more like I did in the 100 Fly or the
200 IM and less like I did that ONE time I attempted the 500 freshman year).
Unfortunately, life is such that continuing here at Mohave Valley Junior High
is not a feasible option for me, and I will be moving on from my 7th
Grade Language Arts position after this school year. I hope that you will
accept this as my resignation, effective at the end of the 2013-2014 school
year.
To
swim, in this sense, has been more like a swim meet or a relay than it has been
an individual event. Surely, what I do in the classroom is individual in the
sense that I am the one in charge of the atmosphere and the content at any
given moment. But, in reality, I am never the sole voice in the classroom. What
I am, and what I do, is greatly influenced by the wonderful people I’ve had the
opportunity to work with. Our 7th
grade team has been so supportive, so helpful, so open with one another. That
discourse, and suggestions from experienced teachers, and group thinking about
how to deal with challenges we face on a daily basis have helped me to grow
both personally and professionally. Any and all of my success can be directly
attributed to two things: hard work and the lunchtime combination of problem
solving and blowing off steam that we did every day. From the very bottom of my
heart, I thank you for that Miller, Price and Stobbs.
I can
remember my interview with Ms. Stahl, when she asked me what I wanted in an
administrator, what I thought was important for people in charge. I asked for
support. And I have received it in spades. I know that I came here with a lot
to learn, and I know that I am leaving here with at least as many, if not more,
questions about how to be better at my profession. I can stand tall knowing
that those questions are different ones than I arrived with, and that I have
come a long way in my two years in Mohave Valley.
Leaving
here is both exciting and sad for me. If there is one thing that I have known
since my first day here it is that my students deserve better than they often
get. My kids are great kids. They make me proud to be their teacher more days
than not with their humor, intelligence and resiliency. Many of them face
extreme challenges on a daily basis and rise above them. I see it daily in the
classroom or in athletics. I coached three seasons, not for me, but for the
kids. I had never coached volleyball. I had never coached basketball. But if I
didn’t this year, who would have? My kids deserve the chance to be involved in
after school activities, to learn from one another through athletics and clubs.
I’ll admit that I love sports. And that I think there is a lot of value in
being a part of a team because of the life lessons you can learn from winning
and losing (too campy? Too bad). I am
proud of the strides each of my teams made as they learned to work and play
with one another and be supportive of one another.
So
that’s why it’ll be difficult. I have great coworkers who are great at their
jobs and better people. Great support from good people in administration.
Fantastic students who I really feel like I did my best for, both in the classroom
and on the court/field. Students and athletes who I learned a ton from. This
place has impacted my life and changed it. Even in leaving, a part of me will
stay here.
But moving on is also something I
am looking forward to. I am going to marry a wonderful human being before I
turn 29. My next tax return will reflect a move (or two) a marriage and a new
job. Part of marrying Colleen means we get to live in the same state (at
least). I am long since tired of the separation in our geography. One of the
things I love most in this world is Colleen being happy, and she has totally
kicked ass and taken names during her time in Louisiana. I could not be happier
about her enjoyment and happiness at gaining experience and working with and
for amazing people. I am excited about our future.
So my life is changing.
Zxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (thanks, Palo, that was helpful). I am not big on change. This is one that both
terrifies me and excites me. It’s hard to walk away from a career and a
community that I respect and appreciate. It’s hard to walk away from people I
care a great deal about. It’s hard to walk away from what is a burgeoning
softball program at MVJH. But it is far
harder to stay. The distance from my family. The distance from Colleen. We hope
to have a family. It is far, far better to raise them in proximity to our
families than here.
I don’t want to be another adult
who has walked out on these students. I want them to know that I gave them 100%
of what I had while I was here. I believe in them. It has been my pleasure to teach and coach
them, to maybe learn them something about what an East Coast attitude is. To
set an example with a New Jersey work ethic.
So thank you, students and parents. Thank you, administration and
coworkers. Thank you, mom and dad and Colleen for your endless support and
encouragement. I am very, very lucky for all of the love and support that has
gotten me through my two years in the desert.
While the circumstances of my life
lead me forward and onward from the desert, know that I deeply appreciate all
that it has done for me. So, cheers. Raise a glass. Lift a longneck. I
appreciate you far more than I can express.
Sincerely,
Mike Hennessey
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