Classroom Updates |
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Although not my choice to leave Amphi, I must move forward. This is similar to the copy of the letter I sent to my parents at the end of the school year. |
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May 21, 2009
Dear Parents,
Thank you for an absolutely wonderful year. I meant what I said at the program that I have enjoyed each and every day. Little did I know that this would be my last class at Copper Creek, but I couldn’t have asked for a better one to ride out my final year.
Many of you have asked exactly what happened that I was released after so many years in the district. There were several complicated factors. I will try to explain it in a nutshell. Several years ago my husband was transferred to Milwaukee, Wisconsin with Delphi. Our daughter was a senior in high school and we did not want to pull her out her senior year. We decided I would stay here with her and after she graduated I would join my husband in Wisconsin. I had my eighty points needed for retirement and after advisement from the State Retirement System and Amphi, I retired and signed on with a company Educational Services Incorporated for that year. This enabled me to continue teaching at Copper Creek and we thought it would simplify our lives when ready to relocate to Wisconsin.
My husband and I spent that year commuting back and forth and had actually picked out some neighborhoods and houses. Delphi started having financial problems and my husband feared they would close the Milwaukee plant so he came back to Tucson to work for Raytheon. At that time, I approached Amphi and let them know our situation had changed and could I return to work for Amphi. Amphi felt it was a “win win” situation because they could pay me much less due to the fact I was collecting retirement from the state. My understanding was I was on a regular contract and somewhat secure. Unfortunately, the district meant to place me on a short term contract as specified by the Arizona State Retirement System. The error was not caught until the budget crisis occurred.
When the district enrollment dropped and funds were being cut by the state, Amphi chose to cut the group of teachers that had retired and come back to work for Amphi. We were all lumped in with the Short Term Contracts. They did not feel they could look at teacher cuts on an individual basis. So there you have it. Subsequently, I couldn’t get a response from Amphi as to whether retired teachers would be called back at all so I chose to seek employment elsewhere.This of course was very hurtful, but I had no control over the situation.
The good news is I have invested thirty-four amazing and fulfilling years teaching children in Amphi. I have been blessed many times over by the children, families, and my colleagues. I became the teacher I am today because of my peers that inspired me to be better. Amphi likes to coin a phrase that the teachers are the “Pride of Amphi”. Well, I would like to coin a phrase, “Children and families are the HEART of Amphi.” I wouldn’t change a thing, except for the way my dismissal was handled.
My next adventure will be teaching a second/third combination class at Satori Charter School. I guess I have to get used to being with the “big kids” now. I look forward to the challenge. I will still keep in touch with my Copper Creek family and hopefully I’ll see you at next year’s carnival if not sooner.
Thank you for your support, involvement, and loyalty. I appreciated how many of you were able to attend the wonderful Retirement Party given for Marian Shultis and myself. It was so good to see all of you.
I also want to extend a HUGE thank you for the generous gift for the Bed and Breakfast in Sedona. I can’t wait. I’ll give you a full report after we go. Well, maybe not a FULL report.
Love and God Bless,
Kathy Dickert
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I'll miss you! |
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