Soon-to-be-retired English teacher David Sampselle is getting ready to end his teaching career and begin his time as a professional relaxer. Here is some final life wisdom before he departs.

Q: How many years have you taught as a teacher?

A. 45 years

Q: Where have you taught at?

A. 18 years at Gaithersburg High School and 27 years at Watkins Mill

Q: What made you decide to retire?

A: It’s time to let the young-uns take over; I have but one life to live for my country.

Q: What are you looking forward to the most about retirement?

A: A) Not getting up at 4:14 am.

B) Being able to enjoy the sunrise, working outside during the bright hours of the day, not having to worry about paperwork, parent phone calls or, bureaucratic ukases.

Q: What are you going to miss about teaching?

A: The energy and enthusiasm of the students; seeing tangible results to the efforts to draw out their true thoughts.

Q: What is your most and least favorite part about teaching?

A: Favorite part is the energy and enthusiasm of the students, least favorite part is getting up early in the morning

Q: Who do you think you will miss the most at Watkins Mill?

A: No one in particular; I’ll miss the relations I’ve made with literally hundreds of adults and students.  I always have an empty feeling after each graduation, to know I’ll rarely see my kids again, so this year’s feelings will be amplified to know I’ll most likely not make connections very often.

Q: Do you think you will do a lot of traveling now that you are retired?

A: I hope so. There are many parts of the US that my wife and I want to see.

Q: Will you visit any of the schools that you taught at?

A: I doubt it, unless I take a substitute teaching job.

Q: Do you have any advice for new teachers?

A: Expect the unexpected, and be ready to react, adjust. Never give up your ideals, your hopes for student progress. Expect slow, slow, incremental growth and occasional bursts of progress.

Q: Do you have any last words for current and former students and staff before you retire?