School days

April 7, 2009

Going back to school is like learning to walk or ride a bike again.

I’m going back to visit my alma mater, Bishop Timon-St. Jude, tomorrow to talk with the administration about substitute teaching. I am excited at the prospect of walking the halls again. I haven’t been back to the South Buffalo school since my 20th class reunion in 1994. We spent much of that night recalling our glory days and having a few cool ones on the rooftop retreat once occupied by the school’s many Friars.

I told Judy (blessed wife) excitedly that I get to put my Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes out tonight so I can slip them on in the morning. This could be the start of something good. I’ve always felt an affinity for Timon, probably because my brother has taught there for 43 years. I believe there has been a Stanley in Timon since 1958 (more than 50 years!) when my oldest brother walked in as a freshman. My other brother followed him, and then I came along as well. In the meantime, Jim started teaching there in 1966. When he retires in a year or two, as he says he will, I might be destined to walk to the front of the class as a teacher, keeping the Stanley string alive at Timon for another 15 years. How crazy is that?

I also started browsing through practice tests for some standardized competency exams I’ll have to take in the coming year. It takes a while to get your brain back in analysis mode. Did I ever think I’d be hitting the books again? Well, yes. I’ve had that thought for years now, especially watching my wife and kids enjoying their academic pursuits – for the most part.

Studying is actually fun. It's certainly different from what I’ve been doing. I know I will enjoy walking the hallowed halls of academia again. It’ll be good to be around mostly younger people again. It should get the creative juices flowing. You betcha. You are as you think, so it won’t hurt to be around people 20 to 30 years my junior. Maybe my hair will start to grow back? Who needs Rogaine?

I’ve learned so much in the past couple of weeks, including how to take classes on the Internet, registering for classes on the Web and blogging. Now this is what life and learning is about. I have a lot to catch up on. With no offense to Geico, I feel like a cave man re-emerging into the modern world.

I’m pretty sure it was Ray Davies and the Kinks who sang: School days/are the happiest days/though they seem/so far away.

No longer, my friends, no longer.