Contributed by Abigail Furey

It is June and transitions are in the air.  For us newly minted teacher’s assistants, we are learning about the challenge of school work on sunny days, when summer break is close enough we can smell it. Although this spring has felt anything but normal, natural transitions continue to happen. I was lucky to get an outsider’s glimpse at one of them: a beloved teacher’s retirement. 

Cindy Spino, fourth grade teacher at Miller Elementary, is retiring this June.  Her students surprised her last month with a teacher appreciation/retirement parade that will be a cherished memory for all.  I had the opportunity to attend, as well as talk with a parent, student and Mrs. Spino herself.  I was touched by what they shared and wish I could share it all. 

I started by asking Mrs. Spino if she was surprised when the parade rolled down her road on Friday, May 8th.  “[Surprised] would be an understatement! …When I heard the  cruiser’s sirens, I was completely shocked, and when I realized it was my son-in law, who is a police officer, my daughter, and grandchildren leading the car parade, followed by my other daughter and her husband with their two babies, who I had not seen in months, followed by my entire classroom with their  decorated cars, streamers, confetti, and banners with words of love and thanks, well, I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. I truly loved and missed all of them.”

Planning a surprise like this takes a lot of scheming.  Michelle Crandall-McBride sneakily worked behind the scenes to make it all come together.  “I had the classroom parents on board, but then remembered her saying that her son-in-law was a Milford Police Officer. So I called the Milford Police department and left (probably the most random) message to her son-in-law, Carlos, saying how we were planning this parade and it would be so wonderful if he could lead it.

“He called me back and was so excited to be part of it! He and Cindy’s daughter and grandchildren came in the cruiser, sirens blazing, leading the cars down the street. Her other daughter came with her husband and grandchildren, and her son was on FaceTime during the parade from NC. It was so special!  …

“The energy was awesome as we lined up down the street!  …We had surprised her everyday that week, so she was used to me showing up on her doorstep!  I had told her I was dropping off one last little thing Friday. I rang the doorbell to get her outside…she came out and the sirens started. It was all so overwhelmingly wonderful. It still brings tears to my eyes.”

Molly Crandall-McBride, fourth grade student in Mrs. Spino’s class told me that Mrs. Spino “is so kind and loving. She is always there for us when we need her. She doesn’t just teach to teach, she teaches to see the kids and be with the kids. She’s just amazing!”  Who wouldn’t want to throw a parade to celebrate that?  Molly and her classmates decorated their cars, made posters, used window markers and attached streamers.  The parade went off just as they imagined and Molly “would do it all again!” 

It is evident that Mrs. Spino’s connection with her students is central to their fourth grade experience.  But what about remote learning?  How had the transition gone for this group and their loving leader?  Mrs. Spino told me, “…on top of the websites I already had  in my repertoire, learning 15 new websites in less than 2 months’ time, creating remote learning with my colleagues, Zooming in large group, small group, and individual  settings with my students, Zooming with colleagues and administration, turning in reciprocal learning spreadsheets to verify and document emails from parents, classes attended by students and work turned in, teaching children how not only to work and turn in assignments online, while learning myself how to best assess that online learning has been challenging to say the least.

“Above all, making sure that beyond the academics my students’ emotional well being was also addressed became an essential part of the Covid-19 crisis. We all, but especially children, need contact with others. My class and I have a sharing day once a week to allow them to connect with each other. We have a PJ night where I have a read aloud of the story that we would normally be reading in the classroom. Those contacts bring me much joy.

“Teaching is so much more than presenting new topics. It is making connections, giving comfort,  building classroom communities, and watching your students grow and mature. Continuing to have students make contact after they have left my classroom is by far the greatest gift I have ever received. I have been invited to weddings of past students and have seen ultrasounds of their children. I have seen students far surpass their teacher in reaching for their goals in life.

‘Teaching is a profession that can not be compared to any other. A part of every day is filled with those moments when they suddenly grasp a new concept, understand  that they can learn through their mistakes and finally realize that if they believe in themselves they can meet with much success. It is filled with loving moments when you realize that as a teacher you are far more to them than a person who teaches. You are their mentor, their friend, their confidante and one of  their greatest cheerleaders.

‘Teachers need time to build relationships with their students that remote learning can’t possibly allow. The pat on the shoulder, a wink, the touch of hands with a high five for a job well done.  It is looking into their eyes and seeing that sense of accomplishment when they grasp a new concept. Their body language says it all.  A hug when a tear is falling, when they feel overwhelmed, anxious, or so proud they could burst. Teaching is so much more than building a life long learner, it is building character and helping them to realize that the most important aspect in life is to be a caring human being.” 

Only a few weeks from retirement, this dedicated teacher changed everything about how she connects with her students.  A true swan song and bright spot! 

Holliston has been lucky to have Cindy Spino as faculty member for 29 years.  Clearly she is just as dedicated today as at any other time in her career.  Three cheers to her students for telling her and showing her the impression she has made on so many lives. 

Best wishes to the Spino family who look forward to celebrating a postponed wedding and getting back to hugging and kissing grandchildren.  Retirement is grand, but Cindy knows “a piece of my heart will always be with the hundreds of students in Holliston who came into my life and made me a much better person along the way.”