Added: 05-27-10
Coach Abbott Retirement Q&A
Bob Abbott retires after 40 years of teaching and coaching
Q: What is one of your fondest memories you’ve had while teaching?
A: One of my best memories was when I was sick in the hospital. All of the different cards, letters and posters the students and staff sent to me were very nice. During the time I was in the hospital, I received over 300 letters and I was amazed. That’s quite a lot. [Another one of my favorite memories was when] I had a former student tell me during a basketball banquet that my class was the best class she’d ever had because taking the notes and highlighting things really prepared her. That’s always nice when you hear things like that.
Q: What do you think you’re going to miss most about teaching?
A: No doubt the thing I’m going to miss most is visiting with the kids. It’s always fun to hear what they have to say. I certainly won’t miss the lecturing and writing and grading tests.
Q: What kind of impact do you feel you have had on your students?
A: I hope that I’ve had a positive influence on my students. I’ve had students that don’t listen and then all of a sudden know everything [on a test]. You always hope that your influence is positive but it’s so hard to tell.
Q: How did the kids change from when you first started teaching to now?
A: I think when I first started teaching, students were a lot more responsible. The majority of students now especially at Westlake rely on their parents to do things for them. The biggest difference is parents don’t allow their kids to stand on their own two feet and let them grow up.
Q: What are your plans for retirement?
A: Well, my wife and I are both retiring this year. We plan to take a cruise this September and spend some time traveling places around the U.S. We have three grandchildren that we will tend to for a while and maybe renovate our home.
Q: What else would you like to add?
A: I love Westlake and I have thoroughly enjoyed working here. Westlake is a place where everyone wants to teach. The students here very are good and they work hard.
Q: What is one of your fondest memories you’ve had while teaching?
A: One of my best memories was when I was sick in the hospital. All of the different cards, letters and posters the students and staff sent to me were very nice. During the time I was in the hospital, I received over 300 letters and I was amazed. That’s quite a lot. [Another one of my favorite memories was when] I had a former student tell me during a basketball banquet that my class was the best class she’d ever had because taking the notes and highlighting things really prepared her. That’s always nice when you hear things like that.
Q: What do you think you’re going to miss most about teaching?
A: No doubt the thing I’m going to miss most is visiting with the kids. It’s always fun to hear what they have to say. I certainly won’t miss the lecturing and writing and grading tests.
Q: What kind of impact do you feel you have had on your students?
A: I hope that I’ve had a positive influence on my students. I’ve had students that don’t listen and then all of a sudden know everything [on a test]. You always hope that your influence is positive but it’s so hard to tell.
Q: How did the kids change from when you first started teaching to now?
A: I think when I first started teaching, students were a lot more responsible. The majority of students now especially at Westlake rely on their parents to do things for them. The biggest difference is parents don’t allow their kids to stand on their own two feet and let them grow up.
Q: What are your plans for retirement?
A: Well, my wife and I are both retiring this year. We plan to take a cruise this September and spend some time traveling places around the U.S. We have three grandchildren that we will tend to for a while and maybe renovate our home.
Q: What else would you like to add?
A: I love Westlake and I have thoroughly enjoyed working here. Westlake is a place where everyone wants to teach. The students here very are good and they work hard.
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