Good bye Mounties,

After three years, 20 or so classes, countless assignments, and a lot of snow… it’s time for me to leave. Mount Aloysius College says that I am a fully-qualified educator in the field of Social Studies. It sounds so strange. If you would have asked me five years ago would I be a teacher, I would have told you "No Chance." If you would have asked me three years ago if I would be a teacher, I would have said "Man, that would be cool but I don't think that's gonna happen." If you would have asked me last year, I would have said "Awww... man that would be so cool, but I don't think I'm cut out for it." If you ask me today, I would say "Yes."

That's what the Mount did for me. I don't really know how or really when it happened, but it did. All the classes and special events and being Santa, my favorite, has given me something that I can't quite put words to. After being away from campus all semester at my placements, I really don't feel much like a student anymore; but that's what good schools are supposed to do.

I miss the "carefree" days, sittin' in a history or religion class. Listening to Dr. Smith talk about cultural shifts in turn of the century America or Dr. Rolfe talking about "Ultimacy" at 9:00 in the morning bathed in the purple light of the Power Point. It's those little memories that are so special to me. Also creating a magical Christmas wonderland where I got to be Santa which kick off what came to be known in the DePiro house as "EPIC CHRISTMAS!" There's so much I have to thank the Mount for, but I have done my best to leave it a better place than when I started.

I got to help create the new PSEA chapter here and I know the girls will take good care of my baby. I also got to proctor test and tutor other students that I think really helped develop my teaching skills. I got to blog for the admissions department and hopefully, attract new Mounties that will make my stay here look like a sleepy dog at a lazy party.

I will really miss this place...thankfully, I have my student loans to remind me. Just kidding...not really. On Saturday, I'll join Van Duncan, Rena Drenning and Jess Reilly as the first, yeah NO. 1 baby, class of secondary ed. majors to graduate from this school. That's over a 150 years of history and I'm a part of it. I've studied, tested, written, and occasionally charmed my way through this institution and I'm finally breaking into the clear. The light at the end of the tunnel is so bright it's blinding me and I still can't see past it. It's strange.

To all the students who had class with me, to all the teachers who shared their knowledge with me, to everyone else who supported me, to the admissions department that got me in, and can also get you in, my deepest thanks. You don't know how much all of you have meant to me. The next time you see me, I will distributing the highest fives you've ever seen at graduation. My love to you Mount...Goodbye.

The Real World has come and I am gone, so for the last time...
DePiro Rules!