Happy Saturday, Everybody!
I’ve got a good blog post for y’all today!
I broke the news in yesterday’s blog that Mr. Bret Douglas, a very good friend to my family, celebrated a milestone in his life. Well, seeing as how today is September 7, 2013, today marks exactly twenty years that Mr. D has taught kindergarteners at Sapp Elementary School. Earlier this morning (well, it was about 10am PST back in Cali), I called Mr. D and wished him a Happy 20th Sapp Anniversary, and he just chuckled and said, “Oh, thanks a bunch, Miss Natasha. I am so honored that you took time out from your college life to call and think of me, don’tcha know.”
I may have mentioned it briefly in yesterday’s blog post, but my Grampa Clark was the catalyst in Mr. D having the job that he has today. You see, my Grampa Clark was such a devoted kindergarten teacher that he didn’t want to retire all willy-nilly. His goal was to make sure that his successor was just as devoted and dedicated to the little kiddies as he was. Well, imagine my Grampa Clark’s surprise when Mr. D mentioned that he once taught kindergarten class in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Grampa Clark pulled a few strings, but Mr. D was still treated as a potential candidate, especially when he scored an interview with Principal Wilson. The story continues that when Mr. D was called for a second interview, he was grilled by all the Sapp faculty and staff, but he was more so grilled by Grampa Clark. And then, during a Christmas party in 1992 (hosted by Grampa Clark and Gramma Jewel, of course) Grampa Clark invited the faculty and staff. Now, check this out, y’all: It was at this particular Christmas party that Grampa Clark officially announced his retirement, and in the process recognized Mr. D as his successor.
And the rest is history.
When I spoke to Mr. D this morning, I could hear the joy and nostalgia in his voice as he reflected on his very first day on the job twenty years ago.
“I still remember it like it happened yesterday, don’tcha know,” he said gladly. “I was quite overwhelmed by how well I was accepted by the faculty, staff, and students. It was barely three minutes that I stepped onto the schoolgrounds, and everyone spoke to me as though I had been their colleague for twenty years—which is ironic, considering that now it actually has been twenty years. Anyway, I remember my very first ‘Back to School’ assembly, in which your Grampa Clark announced his retirement from teaching, then introduced me as his successor. And Natasha, let me say: When your grandpa introduced me, he wasn’t shy about it! He said: ‘And now, ladies and gentlemen, little boys and little girls, and my fellow colleagues, it is an honor of honorable proportions that I pass the torch of kindergarten teacher. Please welcome along with me—my successor, my neighbor, and my friend, Mr. Bert ‘Don’t Call Me Kirk’ Douglas!’”
I just laughed and said: “Yeah, that’s sounds like my Grampa Clark, all right!”
In the twenty years that Mr. D has taught at Sapp Elementary, he has won Teacher of the Year three consecutive times (1996, 1997, and 1998). He’s also won Newcomer of the Year in 1993, and he’s also the reason why the auditorium at Sapp Elementary is now known as the Clark Kenneth Jones Memorial Auditorium. Mr. D went on to explain to me that my Grampa Clark was such a heavy influence and a great part of the Sapp Family that “he just had to be immortalized in some kinda way, don’tcha know.”
Well, I can say on behalf of my family that we are forever grateful that Sapp Elementary has never forgotten my Grampa Clark—heck, I don’t think they really want to.
Okay, y’all—I’m done for today. I’m gonna close up this here blog post, but I’ll holla at y’all on Monday. Until then, y’all take care and be good.
And Mr. D—I want to say one more time: Congratulations on your 20 Years at Sapp!!!
Hugs & Kisses,
Natasha
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