Retiring teachers say goodbye to students

For Dave Keller, teaching just added up to a meaningful career.

Keller is retiring on Friday, 43 years after he first stepped into a classroom in the Ellensburg School District. That was at Morgan Junior High School (now Morgan Middle School) where he taught ninth-grade algebra. Three years later, he moved on to Ellensburg High School where he would spend the next four decades, becoming an institution both in and out of the classroom.

“I particularly loved what I was doing and had a passion for teaching,” Keller, who spoke at last week’s graduation, said Wednesday.

“The biggest challenge was to get students to want to learn. I tried to put them at ease and create a comfort zone where they could develop a confidence in math. I use humor, tell stories. I don’t sit at a table in front of the class. I circulate around the class and try to pick out those kids who are struggling and try to help them. If you can get them to where they really believe you care, it makes a difference.”

He recalled a boy last year who failed his class first semester.

“So I gave him a carrot,” Keller said. “I said if you have at least 75 percent for the first quarter (of second semester) we’ll adjust your grade for the first semester. I tried to give him some help, something that would allow him to succeed.”

It worked.

“Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn’t,” Keller said. “I try to give them hope. If they keep on thinking they can’t do it, why should they try?”

Keller advises the school’s Honor Society.

On Scholarship Night, which the Honor Society runs, “the kids did a wonderful job,” he said. And then, they did something else. “The next morning I came in to my room to find streamers and balloons and all sorts of positive comments on my white board,” said Keller, clearly touched by the gesture. “So after they got done that night, they came up and spent some time decorating my room.

“I do wear a few hats around here besides teaching,” Keller said Wednesday. “Up until this year I spent 10 years as senior class adviser, guiding the seniors through prom and graduation. I’m assistant tennis coach. I run an intramural basketball program and an intramural volleyball program.”

Keller may be leaving EHS, but he’s not exactly retiring. He’s signed a two-year contract to teach 100-level math classes at Central Washington University.

“It’s a new adventure. I’m going to do the best I can,” he said. “I do have family on the West Side and some commitments so how long I stay in Ellensburg is up in the air.

Crafting a Compelling Message Part 4

So what else makes up a compelling message? First, a quick review of the earlier parts. You must answer these questions when crafting your compelling message.

Who is the Market?

Who are you?

Why should I choose you versus every other option?

What is your proposition?

What is your practice promise?

What proof of claims?

Offer?

Urgency –deadline or limited number?

Once you have all these, there is still a bit more.

Even when the message has hit on all cylinders up until now, your message can fail to compel if lacks these next two.

Risk Reduction

It is part of human nature to seek safety and security first. If your message contains even a hint of risk, you must address it. The most obvious of risks is the risk of "losing my money" if I take you up on your offer. A chiropractic doctor is one that practices the use of alternative medicine that emphasizes diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system "" focused particularly on spine "" with the hypothesis that these disorders affect holistic health. Here are some reasons why many individuals are visiting a chiropractor: 1. Learning valuable ideas about food -- the principle of "you are what you eat" is highlighted in chiropractic. When you visit a chiropractic doctor you will learn the value of proper diet -- eating with discipline. It is not just about teaching you the importance of what to eat, how much you should eat, but also it is about learning effective ways to liking what is recommended -- a ... chiropractic , chiropractic doctor , holistic chiropractor offers are so attractive – they eliminate the risk of monetary loss. They cast the widest net. And when you have a big net, you will catch some unqualified or unwanted fish and shells and garbage and other un-wanteds. If you can tolerate those and filter them out, the totally free offer can be a winner.

The proofs you give in your message are designed to reduce the sense of risk that you prospective patient can experience. More proof given equals more risk reduced.

The totality of your message from the standpoint of concept, design and copy also serve to assure your prospect. Done well and risk is reduced further. Done poorly, and the sense of risk can be enormous.

Risk is relative. Too much is a deal killer. When risk is seem as non-existent, droves of your targeted prospect can respond.

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