From Chalk to Cloud

The Great Escape is Complete

Photo by Belinda Fewings on Unsplash

In eighty-two, with chalk in hand,
I faced my first class, as a brave young firebrand.
Maps on walls, and books well worn,
A world of paper and minds reborn.

I’ve taught through Walkmans, floppy disks,
Through denim days and digital video discs.
The Cold War waned, the Wall came down,
I’ve watched the world spin round and round.

Whiteboards came, then screens aglow,
The internet began to grow.
From dial-up tones to WIFI streams,
I’ve bridged the gap from dreams to memes.

I’ve seen the rise of Google’s might,
Smartphones glowing late at night.
AI has joined the classroom too,
With apps that taught and robots who knew.

I’ve taught through Reagan, Thatcher’s reign,
Watched shuttle Challenger fall in pain.
Berlin's wall came crashing down,
And freedom echoed through the town.

I saw Mandela walk once more,
Apartheid crumbled at its core.
The Gulf War flashed on classroom screens,
While children dreamed their distant dreams.

The web was born, a silent spark,
That lit the world from light to dark.
From floppy disks to USBs,
I overcame my internal skeptics' unease.

I’ve guided minds through 9/11,
And taught of peace, of loss, of heaven.
Through Facebook’s rise and YouTube’s song,
I’ve helped young voices find where they belong.

I’ve guided kids through change and strife,
Through pandemics, tech, and modern life.
From pencils to tablets, I’ve tried to stand tall,
A steady constant through it all.

And now in twenty-twenty-five, I’m stepping away, still bright and alive. Leaving a legacy of hearts and minds,
Of wisdom shared, that helped create new masterminds.

Now I’m retiring, My final bell,
Filled with stories only time can tell. Four decades deep in change and strife, I’ve helped shape futures, life by life.

So raise a toast, let laughter ring,
For all the years my work did bring.
Now life begins in gentler style—
With every step, and a grandchild’s smile.

No more alarms to start the day,
Just morning light and time to play.
I leave the job, but not the role—
A guiding star, a heart, a soul.

A thoughtful piece that I’ve written for the occasion of my retirement lunch which will take place today.