by Anne Marie Allocca
What do you remember of your first day of teaching at Marion Street?
Ellen: You've got to be kidding - 40 years ago!
Ina: The first day I subbed, I decided to walk into the hall for a second. When I turned around to go back into the room the children locked me out. Luckily, right across the hall, this pretty young thing stepped out and said, 'Hello, can I help you?' It was Ellen. She helped me and since then we've been friends.
Beth: I had ten years before as a parent. I started as a substitute and the very first day I was called to sub for physical education. My son Michael was a second grader. He had gym that day and he said, 'Don't you dare play favorites.' Sure enough when they had to line up and leave, I didn't choose him. After school, he had tears in his eyes, and asked why I didn't choose him to be line leader?
Ellen: I remember walking in and who am I working with but my fifth grade teacher! I didn't know what to call her. How could I call her by her first name? She treated me like I was still her student, but she was very kind. At that time I was the youngest teacher in the school.
What has been your most memorable experience?
Ellen: The first time I had a child of one of my former students. It's a very strange feeling. Now I'm used to it. My first class the kids were ten - those children are now 50- years-old. I always said I don't care when children say, 'My mom had you. My dad had you...my aunt, my uncle, my cousin.' I said when I hear 'My grandma had you,' I'm out of here.
Ina: I had a neighbor who was a guidance counselor at Marion Street. She said, 'I know you're subbing in Hewlett. Would you like to come to my school?' I went in and met everybody there. I said I would never go to any other school again. There is just something very special about the people at this school.
Beth: When I taught kindergarten my first year we raised hatched ducks and I will never forget the experience. I had to bang on the door of the school at night because one of my ducks was trying to hatch. I picked up this egg with its beak sticking out and fed it water. The next morning it came out. We gave them swimming lessons and had parents duck-sitting for us. Three classes of kindergarteners met us in August and we put our ducks out in Grant Park. That was an unbelievable experience for my first year.
Is it true you have lunch every day together?
Beth: Not only that, but...
Ina: We eat the same thing...
Ellen: And we share it!
Beth: This year more than ever.
Ellen: At first we would only go out on Fridays, but we knew this was our last year.
Ina: We call the place and tell them what we want and it's on the table when we get there.
Ellen: And it's no big deal because we have the same thing every day.
All three at once: We order a grilled chicken mish with diet Russian dressing!
Did you discuss with each other
the decision to retire?
Ina: We've been talking about it.
Ellen: I have been teaching so many years that I could have retired a number of years ago. I didn't stay for the money. My friends kept saying, one more year.
Beth: I could never picture being there without them. As much as we still love what we do, I think the time to go is when you love it. I'm not sure that I'm not going to be back doing some tutoring or subbing.
What are your plans now?
Ina: Beth plays golf and we're taking lessons.
Ellen: I always travel in the summer so now I'm going to travel. I'm planning a big trip for October to China. The first day of school we will definitely be at the theater.
Beth: That's probably the only time we're going to realize that we're retired. And the first Sunday night after Labor Day.
Ellen: Sunday nights are sad days for teachers - and probably students too.
Ina: Every Sunday will be lovely!
Ellen: We're going to have seven days of weekends!
What will you miss about teaching?
Beth: One thing I know I will miss is the positive feedback because there is probably no other profession where you get that, whether it's a letter from parents or something from a child.
Ina: A few weeks ago a child turned around to me and said, 'Thank you Mrs. Goldstein.' I almost fell off my chair.
Ellen: I think the most rewarding thing is when you teach them something that they can comprehend and you see this sparkle in their eye. I will miss that.
