Farewell Letter To Orchard | Diana Shellhaas - 35 Years
Dear Orchard community,
I am finding it difficult to believe that this year will be my last as a part of this wonderful place! It has been a good match for me (obviously, or I would not have stayed for 35 years!), but it is now time to give my full attention to my family and get out there and see some wonderful places in this country. As I reflect back over my time here, it is hard to believe that for over half my life I have been a part of this community! I honestly believe that I have learned as much if not more than I have taught. A lot of what I really needed to know about how to live and what to do and how to be as both a teacher and a human being I learned here at The Orchard School.
“Every person passing through this life will unknowingly leave something and take something away. Most of this “something” cannot be seen or heard or numbered or scientifically detected or counted. It’s what we leave in the minds of other people and what they leave in ours. Memory. The census doesn’t count it. Nothing counts without it.” ― Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
I take with me so many memories and hope that I have left a few as well. And so I share a few of those memories and lessons I have learned:
Always do what is best for kids. Let that guide every action and decision that is made.
Balance your time at work with your personal time with family. There is nothing more important than family!
Celebrate all the wonderful things that happen at this school, for there is much to celebrate! “Chip,chip,chipping in” is my favorite chapter in The Path Well Chosen.
Dedicated faculty are the heart of this school.
Experience is the best way to learn, so just jump right in and try it!
Facilitating learning is the highest level of teaching, giving ownership and leadership to the students. This is not easy to do, but represents learning at its best.
Goats make me laugh! Gardening here with the kids and fellow teachers and parents makes my heart happy!
Helping hands are an absolute necessity in getting many things accomplished here on a daily basis. Thank you to everyone who has chipped in and help out with so many tasks over the years. Handcuffed at the White House by secret service agents. A great story and a memory never to be forgotten!
It is IMPOSSIBLE to not be impressed with what goes on every single day at this school!
Jumping for the pamper pole platform 25 feet above ground to catch a trapeze was one of the scariest things I have ever done! Joe Bricker, you were always there when I needed you and helped me to work through new ways of doing things. You will be missed!
Knowing the strengths, talents, interests and weaknesses of each individual (adults as well as children) is how we help each other to grow.
Life-long love of learning was a seed planted by my father, but I never really knew the full extent of its meaning until that seed was nourished and grew through so many experiences here at Orchard. I will strive to continue to learn new things as I embark on this new stage of my life.
Many hats have I worn…8th grade science teacher, 8th grade math teacher, assistant technology teacher, 5/6th science teacher, 5/6th team leader, science curriculum committee chair, K science teacher, interim co-director of middle school, curriculum coordinator, outdoor education coordinator, transportation coordinator, grounds supervisor, woods manager, challenge course facilitator and manager, injured turtle doctor, car parking, tractor driver, chicken wrangler, goat herder…..and the list goes on and on! So many opportunities to learn and give back!
Never say never. There is always a way of making things happen if it is better for the kids.
Orchard, you are a very special place unlike any other that I have been a part of. Thank you for helping me to be the person I am today. Of course, keep taking those kids Outdoors!
Parents as partners makes all the difference in what we are able to accomplish with each individual child.
Quiet is not a word that applies to the lunchroom and I hope it never does.
Reduce, reuse, recycle. Gordon Thompson and Fred Lorenz were masters at this long before this phrase became so well known. I learned much from both of them and they are sorely missed.
Science sisters forever! Deb Brown and Linda Prell, you both were such great mentors and support as we built a great science program together.
Traditions are an important part of the foundation of this school…don’t take them lightly.
Under the canopy of the woods, under the stars on a campout, under bridges canoeing the White River, underground at mammoth cave, under water snorkeling the reef around the Dry Tortugas…. memories of some of my favorite activities with students.
Violets are one of the first wild flowers that our preschoolers learn to identify. Did you know that we have white, purple and yellow violets in our woods? Vicky Prusinski, you are the wind beneath my wings. How fitting that you will help to carry the torch as the outdoor program continues to grow at Orchard.
What will I do now? I am excited to begin to explore all the possibilities!
Xeranthemum was the only flower that I could find that begins with the letter X for the alphabet garden.
Yes was a word that always came to quickly out of my mouth when asked to do something. I don’t think I ever learned the word NO.
Zany, zappy, zealous, zesty, zingy, zoic, zonal, zoological…a few words to describe various days at work and thank goodness this is the last letter of the alphabet!
“The leaves let go, the seeds let go, and I must let go sometimes, too, and cast my lot with another of nature’s imperfect but tenacious survivors.” ― Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
With heartfelt gratitude,
Diana Shellhaas
Watch below: Diana breaks down one of Orchard's most impressive curriculum achievements.
Watch below: Diana breaks down one of Orchard's most impressive curriculum achievements.
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