I saw one of my favorite teacher's from HS today ...

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

except she is not a teacher anymore. And I am wondering " what happened ? ". She was my World History teacher from exactly 10 years ago. She won the best teacher of the year award every year that I was in HS. Whenever she taught and lectured us on World History she would speak with so much enthusiasm as if she was there. I remember we would be taking notes and being all into what she said. Not only was she cool, she would let us use notes on a test. I told her that I had her 10 years ago and I knew that I recognized her voice when I heard her. She told me that she has not taught in years ... She reminds me and looks a lot like Meredith Viera - and I am seriously wondering what the hell she is doing working in a luggage store ... and not a teacher anymore. Damn.

[Darth_Kitten]

1. I saw my favourite teacher at my 20th high school reunion.....

and stupid me didn't go up to say hello. (I thought he would come up to me and everytime I thought I would go up to say hello he was speaking to somebody else)

I regret that.......he was a great teacher. :( He was my history teacher. :) He made you want to learn all you could, he made it fun.

Edit: Sorry! I'm ambushing your post with my own regrets!

[LeftyMom]

2. Make a point of stopping in to say hi.

Maybe she's moonlighting. Maybe she doesn't want to talk about it. No matter what if you appreciated her you should let her know.

I kept putting off taking my son over to see my high school photo teacher (who had an open-door policy for former students and thier families.) I never got the chance, he died suddenly under really horrific circumstances. If you want to go say hi and thanks, do it while you can.

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Teacher burn out, probably

It happens. Had that happen to me. I may go back, but am seeking other ways to make a living.

And when I say "teacher burn out", I mean it's more about the bureaucracy then about the kids.

Loved the kids, loved the parents, hated the 12-16 hour days that entailed so much administrative and bureaucratic BS that can suck a soul dry.

[Texasgal]

4. Considering that Teachers don't get paid crap...

she probably gets paid more at the luggage store.... it's sad.