As the school year ends, students are getting ready for the summer and teachers are saying their last goodbyes to their students. Another chapter closes, but another chapter opens for opportunity.

Jeffrey Cherry has been teaching for  38 years and has been teaching since Tompkins High School has opened. He currently teaches AP Human Geography, is the Social Studies Department Chair and has taught Sociology for a few years.

“It’s a bittersweet time for me,” said Cherry. “I will still be around Tompkins continuing to be the voice of the Falcons.”

Even though this is his last year at Tompkins he will continue supporting and loving   the staff and students and will forever cherish the memories that were created behind these walls. With that being said there will be things that he will miss being a teacher.

“With no hesitation,the thing I’ll miss about teaching the most are students.  It may sound cliche, but those aha moments in class and seeing the maturation and knowledge gain that takes place year after year, said Cherry.”

Although he is facing a lot of emotions about retiring this year he has many plans in store and ideas he wants to do and accomplish.

This fall I will be playing chauffeur for my grandchildren to and from preschool and elementary,” said Cherry. “After that there will be a little more relaxation.  I’d like to do a little fishing, traveling, and just generally spending more time outdoors.  I hope to eventually fully learn Spanish, start a small travel company, and do some volunteer work for the school district or community.  After all that. we’ll just see where it goes.”

With having his plans set, he will never forget what teaching has taught him in life and how he is going to use this in real life.

“In terms of my own learning, there is no doubt teaching impacted every aspect of my life.  I learned the same thing in my 38th year as I did that first day teaching in 1981 and I realized that I knew very little,” said Cherry.  “Every year has presented an intellectual challenge for me and I’m of the belief that you are either growing or you’re dying. I’ve learned you must be passionate and remain curious ,and I am so thankful to everyone at Tompkins for providing me this amazing experience in my last 6 years in education.  You will all be missed.”