Graduation Speech.

Here's a copy of the remarks I made at graduation today. I diverged from the written text to some extent, but I won't try to reconstruct the actual speech.

-------------------------------------------------------

My dear friends from the class of 2009, as you know, I am leaving Staten Island Tech after 20 wonderful years and I wanted to say goodbye.

I am leaving for two reasons. First, I realized that this class is the best I am every going to experience ever. The class of 2010 may be just as good, but it cannot be better. Moses and I have been to the mountaintop, and now it’s time to come down. The second reason is that I am going to work for the only institution that I love as much as Tech, namely the United Federation of Teachers, and they don’t make you write lesson plans.

It’s a sad day for all of us, but don’t you people worry. You’ll do fine as long as you remember all the lessons that the teachers at Tech taught you every day. And this is the greatest teaching staff in the universe. This is the All-Star Team. It’s the 1927 Yankees. Naturally, I am Babe Ruth. Scavo can be Lou Gehrig. After all, our own Iron Horse hasn’t missed day of work in 20 years. Dr. Aronson is Tony Lazzeri. Manzo: John McGraw

There are two lessons that you learn from any great teacher and from every great teacher, regardless of subject, time, or place. I told you about it on the first day of Freshman year. It is the ability to think independently, critically, analytically, and creatively. Human thought is the most powerful force in the universe, my friends, and you possess that power. Question authority, but don’t disrespect it automatically. Always know that the story you hear is often a lie but is always more complex than either you or the teller can possibly imagine. And always remember: To live thoughtfully is to live fully.

The second lesson every great teacher imparts is a simple one, and you learned it from your parents first. We just repeated the words, and I steal from Mark Twain here in describing it… “Always do the right thing. It will gratify your friends, and astonish everyone else.”

Today I look out upon not just this great class, but, in my minds eye, at all the classes I have taught, well over 3,000 students. The class of

1990
1991,
1992, featuring Mr. Erlenwein, AP at Tech
1993, starring Ken Bonamo, Principal of Townshend Harris HS
1994, featuring Dr. John Davis, Teacher of Physics
1995,
1996, with beloved teachers, Noel Cibelli and Jill Bergstrom
1997, featuring our very own Mr. Manzo
1998,
1999
2000,
2001, featuring my colleague, Jessica Pagliaro
2002, starring English teacher, Kristin Grunwald,
2003, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
and even including the classes of 2010, 11, and 12, you know, those kids back at the ranch.

I am thinking about you all. You know, there is one word that describes the relationship between a teacher and his students. Your parents know the word. It defines their relationship with you as well. The word is love. And you people will simply never know how much I love you and how much you have meant to me.

And so, let us say, well, I hate goodbyes. Instead, let’s say “We’ll meet again.” I have a better idea. Let’s sing it. My film class knows the tune and the lyrics from the end of Dr. Strangelove.

We'll meet again
Don't know where Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again
Some sunny day

Keep smiling through
Just like you always do'
Till the blue skies
Drive the dark clouds far away

So, will you please say hello
To the folks that I know
Tell them I won't be long
They'll be happy to know
That as you saw me go
I was singing this song

We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again
Some Sunny day.