We’ve compiled a collection of beautiful send-offs from teachers who have been with the school for many years and have dedicated their lives to their students. We’ve included a variety of send-off examples and heartfelt messages to help you send a warm and supportive message to a teacher who is leaving.
Thank yous and farewells as they leave the classroom
Goodbye, dear teachers and beloved students. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being with me as I leave. Today, as I part ways with my favorite school, I see everything in a new light. The familiar little trees on the playground, the bright faces I’ve seen every morning, and the time I’ve spent here are all coming back to me, one by one.
Although our school was small, it was as warm and vibrant as any large school. With less than 40 students, it was a small community, but I have spent precious time with all of you, and I can hear your laughter echoing throughout the classroom and see your eyes sparkle as you learn something new every day. The small town feel I’ve shared with you here has meant so much to me, and it’s even more precious on days like today.
I think of the many gifts I have received from being with you. The sweet potatoes, strawberries, cucumbers, and other heartfelt gifts that I receive every year on Teacher’s Day are special memories that I will never forget. Even though they were beyond the usual meaning of village, they were pure gifts from the warm hearts of students and parents. The warmth of those gestures has kept me healthy, and I think that warmth has kept me going all these years.
I can’t tell you how much joy each and every one of your handwritten letters, simple notes, and drawings have brought me. Sometimes a simple thank you note can melt away the fatigue of the day, and each and every smile you’ve shared with me has stayed with me long after the special occasion. I am reminded of the love and gratitude that my students have shown me, and I vow to feed off of it.
Sometimes, children have been the best teachers and friends I’ve ever had. My time with young students has rekindled my childlike spirit and reminded me of the brightness of the world. The times they believe in me and laugh with me have renewed my heart and made me realize how precious time with everyone is. I learned so much from them, even though I was trying to teach them, and the value of life you taught me will sustain me for the rest of my life.
In the words of one of my favorite poems, “A grandfather like a boy playing alone,” from the short poem “Childish Lan,” by Koo Sang Kwan, I hope I can be that blue-smiling teacher in the eyes of my students. The time we spent together in the classroom and on the playground every day made me feel like I was back in the mind of a boy. Every day was fun and happy, and my heart was always green and warm because of those times.
Last but not least, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the principal and other teachers. Every moment I have spent with you, working together to keep this small school going, will remain a proud memory for me. I have learned the way of a true teacher by teaching students here, and I am even more proud of the work I have done with all the staff. Our school may be small, but it shines brighter than any other, and I sincerely hope that there will be many more years of love and teaching to come.
I leave with a deep sense of love and gratitude that is immeasurable. Even on a chilly winter day like today, my heart is as warm as a spring day because of you. I have been through several schools, but my heart’s home will always be ○○ Elementary School. I end my farewell with a heartfelt blessing for the wonderful people who will grow up here. Thank you for all the love you have given me over the years.
A message of gratitude on the occasion of my retirement
Good afternoon, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all of you for taking time out of your day to join us today to celebrate my retirement. As I set the date for my retirement ceremony, I am overwhelmed with emotion as I recall every moment of my teaching career, and there are so many thoughts that come to mind.
The first thought that came to mind was, “Wow, I’ve been in the teaching profession for ○○ years already.” When I first stepped into the teaching profession, I had no idea that this position decades later would come so quickly. It has been a great blessing and grace to be able to stand in the classroom for so many years and meet so many students and teachers. I am so grateful to have been born in this land called South Korea, to have had the opportunity to teach students, and to have had every opportunity to learn. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the teachers who have taught and guided me so far, and to the students who have enriched my life as a student.
In particular, I would like to thank Superintendent ○○○ for being so generous with the opportunities that have allowed me to have such a rich and varied educational experience. I am also grateful to the many seniors and colleagues who have trusted and supported me in my work as an educator, allowing me to fulfill my calling to teach, and whose support has been invaluable throughout my career. Even as I stand here today to thank you, I am reminded of how fortunate I have been.
I realize that my life has been one of great grace. I’m grateful that others have believed in me and, at times, judged me for being a good person. Every day has been ordinary, but every moment of it has been special to me, and I can’t tell you how much it has meant to me, even if I didn’t say it out loud, just doing my job and doing it well.
Now that I’m leaving the classroom, if there’s one thing I regret, it’s that I fell short in practicing my belief that “the center of education should always be the student.” As a teacher, I’ve always believed that the essence of education is to create an environment where students can learn and grow on their own. I have always believed that the role of a teacher is to help students discover their talents and empower them to learn and move forward on their own, and I regret that I have not been able to fully realize this belief. This desire will remain with me even after I leave the classroom, and I hope to continue to contribute to the advancement of education in some small way.
I am so grateful and overwhelmed to be celebrating the end of my teaching career with so many of you today, and as I leave this position and embark on a new journey, I wish you all the best in your respective positions. Once again, my heartfelt gratitude for a lifetime of teaching, and for all of you who have been a part of it. Thank you.
Sincerely, a lifetime of teaching and gratitude
It’s July, the sun is shining stronger than ever, and it’s with a mixture of excitement and trepidation that I say goodbye to you for the last time. On a sweltering day like today, I’m reminded of the idea that we have the Lucky Day to boost our spirits, and as I watch the Samgyetang house fill up with people trying to beat the summer heat, I think how exquisite the phrase ‘Yiyeolchiyeol’ is. After spending every summer refilling my tired energy with Lucky Day food, I accumulated enough time to reach the moment of my retirement.
As I set the date for my retirement ceremony, I suddenly realized that the years had flashed by like a flashlight, and several thoughts came to mind. My first thought was, “Wow, I’ve been teaching for 41 years.” When I first started teaching, I had no idea that I would be on this path for so long. The memories of all the students, colleagues, and friends I’ve met along the way have brought me to this point.
My second thought was, “I am so grateful and thankful.” I am so grateful that I was born in Korea and was able to live my life as a teacher in this country, and I am grateful for the years that I was able to learn, teach, and grow through teaching. I was fortunate to be able to learn from many teachers and to have students who recognized me as a teacher. I am also very grateful to my colleagues, both senior and junior, who saw me as nothing special, as small as a bean, but recognized me as valuable as a soccer ball. Their encouragement and support has made me realize that I have been able to continue my teaching career with more gratitude.
The third thing I realized was, “I’ve been incredibly lucky.” Looking back, I realize that I was very fortunate to get into the College of Education, and I was fortunate that each of my subsequent placements was the right environment for me. The seniors and colleagues I’ve worked with have always been warm and supportive, and as a result, I’m filled with gratitude for the many people I’ve had the privilege of working with. There’s a saying that you’re incredibly lucky to be able to do what you want to do, and I feel like I’ve had that for most of my life, which makes this position even more meaningful.
However, I cannot claim that I have done everything I could as a teacher. Although I have always believed that the focus of education should always be the student and that the role of a teacher is to help students learn and grow, I regret that I have not fully practiced this. I will leave this regret as a small challenge to my younger teachers and move on to a new path. I couldn’t be happier with the time I’ve spent with students in this organization throughout my life, and thanks to all of you for celebrating the end of my teaching career in this way, today is a moment I will never forget.
Last but not least, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to ○○ Middle School and everyone involved in making my teaching career a happy one. To all the colleagues I have worked with, the countless students, and everyone who has worked hard for the school, I sincerely thank you and wish you all a healthy and happy life in the future. Thank you.
An educator leaves a legacy where he leaves off
Good morning, everyone, I’m approaching 40 years in the teaching profession, which still leaves much to be desired. Today’s retirement ceremony reminds me of the impermanence of time. Although I have been on a single path, I realize that the path of teaching is an endless one. Now, as I pass the torch to the next generation of teachers, my heart is filled with both gratitude and regret.
The path of an educator requires a strong sense of responsibility like no other, because it’s not just about teaching and learning, it’s about sharing and guiding a person’s life. I thought I had done my best to fulfill that responsibility, but sometimes I wonder, “Did I really understand and stand by my children? Did I really understand them, did I stand beside them, did I listen to them enough?
Whenever I have these thoughts, I think back to one of the most vivid incidents in my memory. It happened about 10 years ago, when I was a middle school teacher. I was wandering around late at night looking for a child in my class who had run away, and I found him in a park. When I grabbed his hand and asked him to walk back to school, he turned to me and said, “You don’t understand me.” I thought it was just a normal thing to say and brought him back, but the next day he ran away again, which has stayed with me for a long time. The regret that if I had tried to read his mind a little more, if I had focused on listening to him instead of just bringing him in right away, I could have truly held on to him is still with me to this day. Since that day, I have tried to listen to my students more, to choose more listening over more admonishment, because I feel like it’s a small and desperate atonement for that child.
It was through talking to my students, and sometimes shedding tears over their pain, that I found the true meaning of my teaching career. The worries and stories they confided in me, the dreams and hopes they held, remain some of the most beautiful times I’ve had on this path. Sometimes just sitting with them without words was the greatest comfort, and it was through those times that I gained invaluable lessons.
The people who stand beside me now are younger, more flexible thinkers, and more open-minded than I was. I fervently hope that you will not repeat the regrets I experienced. Please be a teacher who is closer to understanding than misunderstanding, closer to empathy than admonition. The most important thing between a teacher and a pupil is true understanding. It is only when a child feels accepted and valued that he or she feels understood and supported by the teacher.
I am reminded of a quote I once read. “A teacher is not just a transmitter of knowledge, but one who helps children discover themselves.” I think this quote best describes the essence of a teacher. We teachers are not just imparters of knowledge, we are supposed to be a force in the lives of children, someone who can help them and light their way. I can’t think of anyone better than you to fulfill that role.
Now I leave the path I have walked to you, and I am about to embark on another journey. I trust the rest of you to continue the path of a true teacher, and I wish you the best of luck along the way. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all my teachers who have been with me, and to all my colleagues who have treated me so warmly. I would also like to thank all of my students who have believed in me and called me their teacher, and I would like to conclude my remarks with a heartfelt thank you, everyone.
An educator’s farewell to nature
Autumn is here, and you can feel it in the crisp breeze that blows through the air, but more than that, you can feel it in the sky. The sky has grown higher in the last few days, and the white clouds beyond it have become lighter, as if they’ve shed the heavy burdens of summer. The sky is higher, and the world feels a little wider. In this wider world, in this new season, in front of this beautiful season, I feel it’s time to go back to my place. I fear that if I stay too long, I will lose something precious.
After so many years of teaching, I’ve asked myself a lot of questions. At some point, I’ve moved away from the center of the classroom and into a position of observing from the edges, and I don’t mind, because I’ve always been willing to give way to younger sprouts whenever I can, just as I set out on this path in the first place. In my younger years, I spent my youth in the classroom with children, laughing, running, and sometimes growing up with them; as a career, I was buried in documents and formalities, running from office to classroom; and now, as an elder, I’m stepping back and making room for younger teachers to step up. I knew when it was time for me to leave, so it was just a natural step back.
The world has changed so much in the 30 years I’ve spent within the confines of a school, and I’ve cried and laughed with so many ironclads along the way. While the speed and direction of change has been dazzling, I still believe that there are basic values that the teaching profession should have and traditions that should be upheld. In that regard, there are a few things I would like to say to my junior teachers and students. Just as the authority of parents in the home supports the foundation of home education, a desirable educational climate can be created in schools when the authority of experienced senior teachers is respected. In the same way that a country without leaders cannot stand upright, and a family without a parental role cannot be whole, I hope that each of you will understand the essence of the teaching profession and have the heart to defend it.
And finally, as a teacher, I would like to convey to students the importance of ideological education. Adolescent children may look mature on the outside, but they are still in a state of incompleteness on the inside. They have a lot to learn, a lot to experience, and I think it’s the essence of our education to empower them to make their own judgments, so that their minds are not biased toward one side or the other. Until they become adults and can judge right and wrong based on their own standards, we will need to be their facilitators to help them gain exposure to different perspectives and deepen their experiences.
In my 30 years as a history teacher, I never let go of my textbooks for a single moment, and while it hasn’t all been fun – there have been some painful, difficult, and even embarrassing moments – in retrospect, all of it has been a great learning experience for me. It’s also made me realize that I’m so glad I chose this path. Watching the children grow up and helping them develop their understanding of the world has been infinitely rewarding.
Now, I realize it’s time for me to move on, and I’m taking an honorable retirement. While my mind is still clear and my legs still have strength, I intend to return to nature and begin a new journey. With the experience and mindset I have gained in teaching, I hope to spend my remaining time in nature in peace. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the meaning and ideology of education that I have shared with you. I look forward to you following in my footsteps and creating a beautiful future for the teaching profession.
I would like to end with my deepest gratitude to all my teachers, and to you, my students, who have respected me as a teacher, even when I was lacking. Thank you, everyone, from the bottom of my heart.
Teaching life leaves with spring, thank you
Good morning, everyone, as the Chinese New Year has passed and the short rains that hasten spring have fallen, the freshness of the annual greenery has been felt, and the season has crossed the threshold of spring. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Board of Trustees, principals, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and guests who took time out of their busy schedules to attend my retirement ceremony. I would especially like to thank the students for joining us, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to the teachers who planned and prepared in great detail for my retirement ceremony.
I can’t help but realize how fast the years have gone by, as I stand here today, the big and small events of the past few years pass by like a panorama. As I look back on my 40+ years as a teacher, assistant principal, and educator, I’m reminded of my efforts to do my best, and I’m also reminded that I could have done better.
As an educator, I have always believed that a teacher shouldn’t just be a teacher of textbook knowledge. I have always believed that a teacher should be able to inspire students to dream bigger and give them the strength and courage to move forward into the future. I have always believed that the classroom should be a place of learning where students don’t just go through the motions, but where they can grow and discover their own possibilities and dreams. Now, as I look back, I am filled with regret and regret that I didn’t give more and teach more. I wish I had listened more, tried to understand more, and my face burns with regret.
It has been a blessing to have met so many precious people, to have sown and nurtured the seeds of education, to have watched generations of students grow up and to have seen them move on to pursue their own dreams. I am filled with regret and emptiness at the thought of leaving these years, but I know that it is thanks to the grace and support of many people that I have been able to reach my retirement without any major problems, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude.
The day has come for me to leave ○○ School, a stage that has brought me so much reward and happiness. No matter how brilliant the performance on stage, there is a certain emptiness left behind for the departing actor, and I am feeling that emptiness as well. I’ve been loved and supported by so many people throughout my long career, and I can’t begin to express my regret that I’m leaving with so much debt and not enough to repay.
The people who are here with me today are the most important and grateful people in my life, and I am especially grateful to the faculty and staff who have given me so much love and helped me through many difficult moments during my tenure. Thanks to your support and cooperation, I have been able to complete my teaching career safely, and everything I have learned along the way will remain a valuable asset in my life in the future.
In closing, I would like to thank the board of trustees, the principal, and all the teachers for organizing today’s grand retirement ceremony. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to all of our guests for joining us today. With this gratitude deeply in my heart, I conclude my farewell remarks. Thank you very much.
Leaving behind an inspiring teaching career
It’s that time of year again: a reflective November morning. Is there anything more foolish than trying to hold on to time as it flies by? It seems like just a decade ago, the days didn’t fly by so quickly, but nowadays, they seem to fly by so fast that we don’t even know where they are going, and with the year’s goals left to accomplish, time seems even faster now that we’re already in November. Perhaps it’s my impatience to accomplish more before the year is out that adds to this sense of urgency.
Today marks the end of my time in the classroom. Looking back, my teaching career has been a beautiful journey filled with so much happiness and reward. I have truly loved teaching, and have found deep joy and reward in all of the students and colleagues I have met along the way. It has been a blessed path that I have chosen for myself, and I cannot tell you how proud and grateful I have been to be a teacher over the years.
Now that I’m leaving, I’m feeling a bit sad. I’m leaving a profession that I love, and I’m leaving without repaying all of the people who have helped me along the way. In retrospect, it is said that human life itself is a series of regrets, and maybe regrets are left because we truly loved and dedicated ourselves to something, so I wonder if it would be a rewarding and happy life to reduce regrets as we go through the world. There are many things that I look back on and wish I had done a little more at the time, a little more understanding, a little more concession, and these regrets, regrets, and times of reflection have been a great asset to my life.
When I look back on the last 40 years of my teaching career, a lot of things flash through my mind. I’ve always believed that teachers are the best textbooks for students, and I’ve always tried to be careful and deliberate because every word, every action, every gesture, every step I take is what students watch, learn from, and even emulate. I’ve walked this path with the idea that I should live a textbook life, but when I look back, I’m filled with embarrassment because I’ve fallen short. I recognize that I’m still a work in progress, and maybe it’s up to me to try to fill in the gaps.
There’s a saying I heard when I was a new teacher. “The first three years of teaching determine the first 30 years of your career,” said a senior teacher, and I have always taken that to heart, as it means that I should always have a sense of passion and mission as a teacher, and always set a good example for my students. With a humble heart, I have always tried to do my best, and I have been with my students, making every moment count.
I believe that education is a process of touching students’ hearts, reaching out to them with a warm heart and helping them to truly open their minds. Cold knowledge alone cannot help students discover their dreams and possibilities. When we, as teachers, reach out to them with warmth and sincerity, they see the possibilities that lie deep within themselves. I hope that this mindset will serve as a guiding principle for younger teachers as well.
As I leave the teaching profession, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of my teaching family members who have given me so much love and happiness, and to everyone who has stood by my side.
From the end of my teaching career, leaving behind beautiful memories
Hello, everyone! I’m ○○○, and I can’t help but feel both excited and nervous as I stand here today to say goodbye to you for the last time. It seems like just yesterday that I first met my fellow teachers here, and my beloved students, and we bonded in the big garden of ○○ Elementary School, and now ○ years have passed. They say that time flies like a bullet, especially as you get older, and now that I’ve reached retirement age, it’s even more true. I feel like there are still things around the school that I can help with, and I want to hold on to the lapels of the passing years. However, I try to calm myself down by remembering the phrase “Leave while the applause is still loud”.
Looking back, I realize that the memories I’ve made at ○○ Elementary School over the past ○ years are truly precious and beautiful, and every moment I’ve shared with the students here has a special place in my heart. These precious memories are made even more meaningful by the people who have always been with me. The students I have worked with, my fellow teachers, and the school itself have made it more than just a place of work for me, but a home away from home. I have been offered the position of principal several times during my teaching career, but I made a promise to myself on my first day on the job: “I will stay close to my students until I reach retirement age.” I always wanted to be a teacher in the classroom, because the most important thing for me is to learn from my students, to see them grow, and to be with them.
It’s easy to lose sight of that initial motivation over the years, but as I look back on my retirement today, I realize that I’ve worked hard to stay true to it. It’s what has made my teaching career so rewarding, and it’s comforting to know that I’ve kept my promise to myself. I think it’s because I’ve never lost sight of my roots that I’ve been able to say that my ○ years as an educator have been a worthwhile journey.
Now, I am leaving ○○ Elementary School, but my heart is still here and with you. Even though my body is leaving, my heart will always be here to support and encourage you, to wish my beloved students great things, and to be there for you whenever you think of me.
To all of you who have made the past ○ years the happiest and most rewarding of my life, I am overwhelmed with gratitude as we say goodbye today. But I want you to know that it’s not you who deserves my gratitude and appreciation, it’s me. The memories, the learning, and the times we’ve shared are the greatest gifts and pride of my life. It is because of my relationships with you that I am able to leave my teaching career with such an enriched and happy heart.
So, with that, I’d like to end my time here, and I leave you with my deepest gratitude, my love, and my sincere wishes for the best of luck in your future endeavors. Thank you.
Final thoughts on leaving the classroom
Good afternoon, I am both honored and overwhelmed to say goodbye in front of so many students and fellow teachers today. Last night, as I was preparing this farewell address, there was an overwhelming feeling in my heart. As I stand here today, I realize that it’s a mixture of regret and regret: regret that I will no longer be coming to work every day at 8:00 a.m., as I have for decades, and regret that I will no longer be able to see my wonderful junior teachers every day.
But most of all, I am sad about leaving the school and saying goodbye to my students. I remember many class periods with you over the years, and I’m sure there were times when I was a bit bored or sleepy, but you listened politely and without much fuss. Thanks to you, I was able to fulfill my duties without much difficulty until my last day, so I am very grateful to you, and at the same time, I feel sorry for my inadequate teaching.
They say that the word “teacher” is an honorific for someone who was born first in the world, and I should have shared with you the wisdom, maxims, and dreams for the future that you need to live in the world as much as the content in the textbooks, but I think I was too focused on delivering a rigid curriculum. In fact, as a teacher of ethics, I wanted to tell you more stories of life, stories of courage and dreams, stories that are not in the textbooks. I know that the single words a child learns in their adolescence can shape the rest of their life, and I sincerely hope that my lessons stick with you. This is also something that I regret.
When I first stepped into the classroom, I vowed to be the most compassionate and humane teacher I could be. I even dreamed of following in the footsteps of Mr. Pestalozzi, who dedicated his life to children and education, but when I look back at how much I’ve kept my promise to be a good teacher over the years, I can only think of shortcomings, and I’m deeply ashamed.
Now, I have one wish for my younger teachers. I don’t know if I’m qualified, but I hope you can be the kind of teacher who can tell students about their dreams, the kind of teacher who can support them on the road of life. What we learn in school is not just math formulas, the names of Western philosophers, or classic works of literature. I believe that teachers should be more than just transmitters of knowledge; they should be inspirers and guides for children’s lives. If you, my fellow teachers, can become such teachers, I will be able to leave this path with a sense of pride and joy.
Now that I’m leaving, I wish I could go back to the drawing board and do it all over again for one more year, but those who must go must go, so that younger and more ambitious teachers can come in and give students energetic and fresh lessons. I have always been a teacher who has always had the joy of learning, but now the time has come for me to give way to new teachers. I will long remember the faces of all the students I’ve taught, the quiet of the schoolyard and playground, and the color of the sky today. I’m truly grateful for all the time I’ve spent with you, and now I’m saying goodbye.
Thank you for everything.
