Under the Sun: Gary Griffith, retiring teacher

This is a big step, no?

I guess. I’m so busy I’m just taking one thing off my plate. I’m a writer, did you know? Last year I published my first novel. I read it to my fourth grade class. Some of them asked me to read it again. I’m working on another book right now. I also write poetry, and I paint, sculpt and take photographs. And then there’s my vineyard, and winemaking…

How did you know it was time to retire?

I look at life like a football game… there are four quarters in life and each quarter is 20 years. I am already into my foruth quarter. So having worked passionately for the last 50 years or so – I started working in my grandmother’s restaurant at age 9 – I am ready to back away from the daily grind…which I love, to pursue a slower pace in my life.

How did you decide to become a teacher?

I always wanted to be one. I had two children and was working as a roofer when I was injured. I had to really fight to make it happen, but I persuaded the Workmen’s Comp people to send me to the Sonoma State credentialing program for my re-training. After one year as a sub, I got a job at Prestwood, where my children went. I took a $30K drop in pay, but I told the principal that year, “I love my job. I would do it for free.”

Haven’t you been very active in the teachers’ union?

Yes, and I should never have said that about working for free! I served three times as president of the VMTA, and have been grievance chair. And was elected to the state council for several terms.

What’s a highlight of your career?

In 2003 I was named the school district’s Educator of the Year.

So these 28 years you’ve always taught at Prestwood?

When I was getting my credential I had dreamed of teaching U.S. history and coaching baseball in high school. So I tried subbing at a high school — OMG, it was not for me. And I tried middle school too, and, OMG, the same thing. A prof at SSU suggested I volunteer in an elementary school, and that was for me. I got a job teaching here and this was it. I taught fifth grade for twelve years, third for ten, and this is my sixth year in fourth grade. They’ve all called me “Mr. G.”

Tell me about the goals you set for your classroom.

To create an environment of love, empathy and trust. Kids need to feel good about who they are, where they’re at, who they’re with. THEN they can learn. There has to be a connection with the teacher. They have to feel the teacher trusts them, so they can learn to trust.

I know you’ve seen a lot of changes in curriculum and pedagogy, over all these years.

Yes I have seen the full gamut of change in both. These are natural, cyclic changes which occur along with the ever changing socio-political landscape.  Sometimes change is due to the latest research on how we best learn.  Community demographics are always changing and as educators we must adjust accordingly. “No Child Left with a Dime” was a political disaster which crippled great teaching and appropriate evaluation of students and teachers. The point here is that all educators must utilize all best practices which work best for all types of learners.

Have children changed?

They feel more entitled now. They experience so much more, especially through media.   Things that aren’t appropriate. It feels like the paint is peeling off the walls in the environment they are growing up in.

Any doubts over the years?

Not one moment. It’s the most joyful profession I could ever have had. I always wanted to make a difference but I found out I got so much love in return. See this school photo? She’s 33 now, and she invited me to her wedding in Portland this summer. And I’m going.

— Interview by Anna Pier