From Stage 6. Late Adulthood – The Artisan in the Wild Orchard
June 2011 had been a time of continuous celebration for me. My last day before retiring would be Friday June 24, after thirteen years of teaching for LAUSD, the last nine of them as the Teacher Librarian at Downtown Magnets High School. I loved the school, the job, the teachers, and the kids. To make this retirement really memorable, Mary and I signed up for all four retirement parties that were held by the various school organizations: the banquet thrown by the Los Angeles School Library Association 11 days ago, the Superintendent’s “High Tea” at USC Town and Gown (for all the retirees in the District) 7 days ago, the UTLA (teacher’s union) dinner dance at the fancy restaurant at the downtown Cathedral last Saturday, and the crowning event, the beautiful dinner party to be thrown by my school the day after tomorrow at Taix Restaurant. The first three were deeply gratifying, and the fourth turned out to be one of the most amazing outpourings of love and appreciation I have ever seen.
Excerpt from DMHS Leadership Loves Mr. Levin