To the editor:

The school year is quickly coming to an end. I thought before it is over, I better have my say.

The other day I was talking with a current Dowagiac junior high student and he was telling me about his classes.

He is a really intelligent young man, but he’s struggling in some of his classes.

The two he’s doing well in were science,because he loves it, and history.

He went on to tell me that he really didn’t like history, but his teacher had a certain way of teaching it that made it exciting to learn.

I knew immediately who this young man was talking about, as I’m sure many of you do, too.

I had this teacher when I was in school and then my children had this teacher.

I know exactly what this eighth grader is telling me because I loved this teacher, too.

So, here it is … there are many members of the Dowagiac Union staff who are leaving or retiring.

It’s staggering when you think about how many. (Talk about down student numbers!).

I’m really happy for all of them, but am deeply saddened at the huge empty hole it leaves in our schools.

For me, I feel like it’s a sinking ship. I’m glad I have only one left to finish off next year.

Many of the people who are leaving now, and some others before them, had a huge impact on my life, as well as my kids.

The positive role model of an adult, the perfect confidant, the always encouraging are just a few of the qualities that imprinted on me.

It was important for me to have them in my life at that time.

They made a difference in my life while at the same time teaching required school subjects.

I have always thought they are way underpaid for the precious gift they have to mold our students into successful adults.

I’m trying to think on the positive side of things.

New staff members at our schools could bring a much- needed breath of fresh air.

Although, I don’t think just our school could  use that, and anyway a  breath of fresh air will still turn stale if you hold it in.

I’m a  little worried that newer and younger teachers will be run over ( I’ve seen it).

I’ll also miss the experience and knowledge our current staff has.

So I offer a little advice to the new staff coming in.

May you have that fire and long-lasting energy to care.

Care so much it hurts.

Care,even though you’ll never be paid near as much as you are worth.

Going into this profession can only be about wanting to teach and help our future (our children) become successful.

Know that everything you do does have an affect on how our students will turn out.

Know that the things you do, the words you use, will help a student soar or come crashing down.

What you do and or say matters to a student, even when  they say it doesn’t.

Don’t go easy on the so-called easy students and don’t give up on those students referred to as lost causes.

There is no lost cause as it refers to the student, only adults in these kids’ lives who failed them.

Don’t be another adult who fails them.

You have some incredibly BIG shoes to fill, and I wish you luck.

I’m sure you’ll do fine, just don’t be afraid to ask for help from some of the good ones still there.

For those in the Dowagiac Union School system who touched my life (and are leaving or have already gone), know that it has not only been as a  student, but as an adult as well.
I am grateful to you for being there for me.

Know that I am thankful and that you made a difference for and in me.

I love all of you for that.

You will be dearly missed, and I hope future Dowagiac students will have even a small  amount of what you gave to me from the new staff.

I hope and pray that  your new life be filled with new and exciting things to learn.

I also hope that I will be lucky enough to have our paths cross again.

Thank you and best wishes,

Babita Ownby