There is no doubt that I have been the luckiest teacher ever, having such wonderful classes and so many delightful students who spent time in the math lab. I wish I could mention the names of all my favorite students here, but the list would be very long, and ultimately boring to everybody except those who egos I would be stroking, hehe.

So instead I will merely mention 10 of the many reasons why this past school year was such a special one. Nearly all the reasons involve students, of course, but I will not comment on any of them since many students mentioned read this blog and I certainly do not want to inflate their egos and thus ruin some of their most delightful traits! ☺

1. The amazing surprise retirement party, including the video, the verbal tributes and the incredible memory book!

2. Sana spending 7th period with me in the math lab for the second year in a row.

3. Jessica asking me for help in Trigonometry at last year’s ICC show rehearsals (and, yes, that did impact this year a lot).

4. Pooja deciding to take the AP Calculus test, even though she was in Jean’s regular Calculus class.

5. Melody, Mandi and Nicole staying friendly with me this year and spending time visiting and chatting with me.

6. The Sabella tee shirts, which were incredibly egotistical, but gratifying to see 90 of my students (as well as a few teachers) buy them and actually wear them to school. Thanks, Emily.

7. The “I Love Robert Sabella And Want Him To Stay at PHS” Facebook group which 139 students (and Briane) joined. More ego, but also gratifying. Thanks, Kevin.

8. Eileen waiting outside the math lab door for me every morning.

9. My homeroom group with whom I really enjoyed spending first period every morning: Jess, Neil, Maryam, Amy, Vanessa, Ben, Monika, Michelle.

10. 5th period lunch, which was very enjoyable each day (it was mostly teachers, but included one student).

I have gotten over two dozen friend requests on Facebook since graduation, and I fully intend to stay in contact with many of those former students as much as possible. I guess Facebook (and IM) will become my surrogate for the math lab in the future. Maybe you’d better all flee while you still have the chance, haha.