Hello- After thirty-five years in public education as a teacher, supervisor and, finally, school administrator, I first retired in 2002. Then, after a brief hiatus, I returned to the classroom in a private school for three years....Whew, hard work! Then I was asked to serve as an interim building principal for about four months. Good thing, too, since the idea of doing the little jobs (the honey-do lists)that fill your retired years day after day was not for me. Now I am substitute teaching back in the district where I worked for more than thirty-two years. Every day someone asks if I would come back as an administrator. Teaching in today's public high schools is a whole new experience from what we had. Students have an array of tools or toys- depending on how you look at it...to amuse themselves. Technology in all its forms consumes their waking hours. They are text messaging,on- line or listening non-stop to music on their i- pods, are on chat rooms, and even are taking photos of tests for their buddies with their cell phones....activities that we could not conceive back in the fifties, and, from the perspective of an administrator, not necessarily positive in the realm of things. Nevertheless, I am enjoying the experience, particularly the part of leaving at the end of the day without the responsibilities of an administrator or full-time teacher. My wife, Pam, and I have been married for thirty-eight years, have two grown children, not married, and enjoy going to NYC and Philly to see shows and visit museums. We also spend each summer in Cape May or other resort for relaxation. It doesn't get any better than this! Have a restful summer. Regards, Allen Hirsh May 23, 2006