After more than 30 years of teaching, Mr. Garner is saying goodbye to school life and is starting a new chapter in his life. During his career, he has inspired and supported many students, especially immigrant students.
Mr Garner did not always plan to become a teacher, at first he was not happy with his other job choices and realized that teaching was the best way to use his talents. He enjoyed working with immigrant students. “I had a feeling it would never be boring,” he said. “And boy was I right!” The best part of teaching for him was not just teaching the lesson, but the students themselves. He loved learning and growing together with them. “They have taught me so much.” He said, referring to his students.
One of his last hopes as a teacher was that his students remember how much he cared about them. “I hope that they felt my love,” he said, “because that’s where it all begins and ends.” Mr Garner also believes that the most important lessons students should learn in school is to believe in themselves. “You can do things you never imagined,” he said. “Don’t let fear stop you.”
When asking him what his best advice was for students, he said: enjoy life and live fully. “Life is a wild ride, but it is beautiful,” he said. “Love and live with your whole heart.” After he retires he plans to spend time with his family, he also wants to travel the world and work on his new business that focuses on multilingual education. He mentioned how happy he was about having no more lessons to plan or assignments to grade. Even if Mr Garner is retiring, the impact he made on his students will never be forgotten.
