Working in International Schools is not easy. I am finding it harder and harder year after year to say goodbye to wonderful admin/teachers. As a teacher I used to hide so that no one could come and say bye as I know that tears will start rolling down. Being in an admin role I knew that I couldn’t do it as everyone wants to come by and say bye. Those whom I built relationships with were the hardest. With some of them, I managed to say bye from far and waved and gave them a flying kiss. They understood the way I am with goodbyes. Those who don’t know how I am with goodbyes probably thought I was weird, cold hearted and heartless.
The one person I was trying to avoid saying goodbye to was my principal. He first saw me as a teacher, then as a team leader and then this past year as his assistant principal. I must admit, I was nervous to work with him but I was also excited to learn from him. We worked really well together along with the KG AP. We were a strong team. He guided me, supported me, taught me and coached me. There were maybe two times where I might have forgotten to do something he had asked for. He never told me off or shouted. Instead, he would look at me and say, “Dana, its fine, let me know when you have an answer.”
We had our ups and downs but more ups than downs and we came out stronger than ever. He is the only person that would calm me down when I was so mad after any given incident. He had his ways and it always worked. I couldn’t have asked for a better principal than Mr. Brian as my first year as an Assistant Principal. His goodbye was the hardest goodbye I had to face in my life. It was not easy. I walked into his office as I was about to leave. It was his last day, I walked in and said, “Ok, I’m leaving. Do you need anything?” and before he could answer I was walking out of his office really quickly till he shouted out, “Dana wait please!” I froze and didn’t know if I should turn back. Within 2 seconds he came out and said, “You can’t leave like that.” I turned and looked at him and the tears began! He came closer and hugged me and I couldn’t help myself, my tears came rolling down! I quickly let go and turned around and walked away. Had I looked back at him I wouldn’t have let him go. I picked up my things and left.
I could not have asked for a better person to work with as my first year as an AP. I know we will keep in touch and I am thankful for the wonderful memories. It will be a new admin team next year and I am sure it will be just as adventurous as my first year.
I hope and pray goodbyes get better and not worse!
