From now until the end of the school year, Carl Bosch will be chronicling his final year as a teacher.
That’s right, I’ve been in school for 55 years. Kindergarten at age five, elementary school, high school, college, and three months later, the beginnings of a 38-year stretch in middle school. This is the last year.
I’ve used more tissue in my guidance office than is fair or reasonable. A dollar per tear, and I’d be a millionaire. My students have gone to Harvard and jail. One week, some years back, I had a young, seventh-grade girl’s father die on Wednesday, and, three days later, her mother died. I’ve testified in court for sexual abuse cases. I’ve felt uplifted, inspired, and moved by students singing in chorus—part of something greater than their individual lives. I’ve had parents drowning in lives, shattered and broken, trying to save their children. I’ve been in 10,000-square-foot homes where parents rented an elephant for their child’s 11th birthday. I’ve been in third-floor walk-ups where I was afraid to sit down for the promise of bugs and disease that seemed to crawl on every wall, crevice, and darkened corner.
Once, I handed an angry student a hammer and directed him to smash an old desk to free himself. After a hesitant start, he pummeled the desk into toothpicks. The boy looked at me and said, “I feel really good.” Students have hugged me and screamed at me; parents have done the same. There have been parents with nothing, but they were filled with love for their children. There have been millionaire parents with everything, except for time or care for their children. I’ve had students worry about grades, unemployment, growing up, friends, elderly and ill grandparents, mean teachers, mean friends, mean lives, their own mortality, and more divorces than could fill Madison Square Garden. All the while, I tried to get them to learn. Reading. Writing. Math. Science. Social Studies. The Arts.
And now it’s ending.
I miss it already. I realize, renewed daily, that I’ve always loved school. All of it. The hallways and regimen, the orderly desks. The smell of books and classrooms, and lately, computers. I can actually walk into a classroom and “hear” if a computer is on. Teachers with their quirks and personalities, their energy and enthusiasm, and sometimes, just sometimes, their sublime inspiration. So, as a novice student early on, there must have been something that caught me and trapped me in those brick walled institutions. And, of course, I know what it is. It’s children learning. It’s as simple as that. It’s an honor, a privilege, a sacrament, a chore, a calling, a life.
So the end begins. Thirty-eight years of teaching add up to a little over 7200 days. Fifty-five years in school totals just over 10,000 days. I have about 175 left. They’re sliding away from me fast as all days do, but this slowly closing curtain on the last performance I’m well aware of. I’m still drying tears, meeting with parents, changing schedules, and the occasional dramatic turn. There’s little new, but each child’s personal story is theirs and therefore, unique. And I’ll try to treat them that way. Until the last day.
I’m a teacher. And this is my last year. Let’s see what the weeks ahead bring.
Mr. Bosch, I just came upon this tonight. I’d like to thank you for being at TMS everyday for the past 2+ years with my daughter, Emily, during all those hours in the day when I obviously could not . You have helped, guided, advised and inspired her, and I am truly grateful! Enjoy your much deserved retirement!!!
Dear Mr. Bosch: Just learned your proper name. I always knew you as Bill or Laura’s guidance counselor. She always told me you were the one who got her through her middle school years. She never allowed me to probe but I suspected they were tough years for her socially. Thank you for all you did guiding her along during those sensitive years. May you love every day of retirement. Gratefully, Kate
Fellow ’52 club member,
Ah, writing is only one of your many talents….I relate to your athletic aptitude! Students who enjoyed sports could always count on you to get involved and be active on their level whether it be in the gym, on the field, in the PA room or at some off campus field trip. You are one of the good ones! Congratulations on your decision to retire. It was a pleasure to work with you all those years @ TMS.
Bill~ 7th grade at Chalk Hill Middle School in Monroe was a long… long… long time ago, as you know! I can’t say that the greatest impact you had on me was back then as my 7th grade Reading teacher because my most profound memory of you was your coming to my home the day after my husband’s untimely death. Soon after you spent some time with my two boys evoking such gratitude from me, as there were too few men of character in their lives. You wrote in a parenting article about a time you babysat them and let… Read more »
I suppose I could scream at you too, for moving on to the next chapter without me! Then again, I could just reach out, shake your hand and congratulate you on a job well – done! Meeting you some years ago, I thought you were just beginning your career as I witnessed you make that jump shot in a school gym. Now come to find out that you are still that young kid but transitioning to a time of life that is well deserved. To that I wish you the very best life has to offer. However, I do expect… Read more »
Bill,
It has been a pleasure to be a part of your talent for connecting with kids. Your positive approach to people and life in general is uplifting to all those who work with you. I always look forward to your humorous spin on anything! So, it’s safe to say, I’ll be along for this insightful ride! Have fun!
Mr. Bosch,
It’s been two and a half years since I was your student, and you still have not stopped teaching me. Your affect is a lifelong one. I can still remember every conversation we ever had, from movies, to smoking, to the meaning of life. I honestly cannot imagine Tomlinson without you. You were a defining factor in my middle school experience and educational career. I’ll be back to visit soon and am really looking foward to following your blog!
Forever your student.
Molly B.
Mr. Bosch, (I still can’t bring myself to refer to you as Bill) as a student who had the pleasure of your guidance almost 25(!?) years ago in middle school, a lover of great writing, and a fellow fan of the smell and rhythms and magic of school, I am so looking forward to this series.
I’m just sorry that the school system is going to be losing you.
Jane
Bill, I’ve traveled trails with you longer than most (except you, Beth). I’ve had the pleasure of school, hitch-hikes, best men, god-children, late dinners, parents, siblings, cemetaries, concerts, births, funerals, golf and gosh knows what else called life…and as the people here who know you know, I’ve been lucky to in friendship! I’m looking forward to this journey as well as. You’re obviously a teacher…because we all will learn each time you write! Thanks!
Bill,
You looked shy in kindergarten & look where you have journeyed. I’ve always admired you. Your enthusiasm was endless & you are the only person who loved Monday mornings.
I only got to work with you 5 years, but you taught me a lot, being positive & smiling!
Good Luck on this new chapter. Bravo!
O
A truly amazing story from one of our country’s heroes. I’m looking forward to following this!
~Cameron
I loved this. Loved the picture. And wished I had someone like Carl to take my hand and guide me through those torturous years of school where I felt like I had been elected the class dummy and did everything I could to live up to my position.
Great article…very inspirational. What a life story!
Beautifully written and so moving. I am looking forward to the taking journey of the next 175 days with you.
Dear Bill(y),
As you can see, endings are always hard to drop! This is a great project for your last year. I will look forward to keeping in touch through your essays. You have touched many lives and will continue to-no matter what route you follow after this school year. I hope this last year helps you to redefine yourself; that was the most difficult part for me. Here’s to a great final year in middle school!
Having joyously departed school in the 10th grade and never looked back, I’m reminded of my 10th grade guidance counselor who had a huge impact on me. Strange how the guidance counselor gets such short shrift in the scheme of things. God forbid our children should learn to communicate fully and thoughfully with their counterparts, perhaps even have a class that exercises those muscles. Bill, having collaborated with you at Mousemuse I can see why you’ve been so successful in your career. The kids will be lucky to have you another 100+ days. We’ll be the lucky recipients of your… Read more »
Until I met this guy in person I was wary of all bureaucrats. Public school, guidance counselors? Rules. No individuality in my experience. Here is a man writing about “your” kids and you know what? He loves each and every one of them for their individuality. Why? He’s that extinct species who is inscribed with the quote, “A teacher affects eternity. He can never tell where his influence stops.” Is “affect” correct or is it “effect?” Who remembers. But, Sydney Mandel, my 10th year literature teacher, wrote that on my term paper when I said, “I’d learned little from teachers,… Read more »
Bill, I am so inspired by you. I try to model my career and even my life, marriage and raising kids after yours. The stories you have shared and the way your solve problems and respect people have been lessons beyond belief for me. You have been such a great role model and I enjoy every conversation and article you have ever written. So insightful! I can’t wait to continue to read, laugh, cry, and enjoy your blog.
Bill, it is such a pleasure to work with you. I can’t imagine life in the Guidance Department without you, our trusted guide and mentor. I’m looking forward to sharing this part of your journey with you.
What an amazing picture you have drawn! Although I will hate to see the end of this year, I can’t wait to read what you will write. Count me among those who have learned so much from you.
You’re leaving. I don’t have words. But if you could find me another old desk…
Beautifully written. Deeply passionate. The children you have taught are lucky to have you in their lives.
This will be fun…. as I sing back up to your swan song. I can’t imagine my days without you, my friend, but alas…..everything comes to an end to prepare for the begining. We have shared so much, and will continue as we spend our last work-a-day hours at TMS. Linda
I loved this article, being a teacher myself for 37 years. I retired in June and now I am less than 2 months into it and trying to figure it out. When you have worked at some job since age 16, it is difficult to realize that you are “retired”. The date 2011 seemed to be a million years away and then in a flash it was here. I loved the images in this article–they were all so vivid. So, Good Luck, Carl, but you will always be a teacher!
I have been blessed to work with this man for the vast majority of my career in education. Kids/families who have gotten to know him are better off for it…I know I am. I can count on this being an interesting, reflective, and insightful read.