Turning the Page: Mr. Blair Says Goodbye to Teaching After 15 Years

By: Isabella Sutherland

After 15 years of teaching at Redwood High School, Mr. Blair is leaving the classroom to begin a new career as people share how his impact on the school will last long after he leaves

For 15 years, Mr. Blair’s classroom was something that everyone knew what to expect, but now Blair is stepping away from teaching and beginning a new chapter in his life.

When asked why Blair is switching careers he says, “I just wanted something new. I want a new challenge. 15 years in education, you know, it’s gonna be bittersweet, leaving. It’s all I’ve known and I still love it, but I just wanted to try something new.”

Even as he prepares for a new career, Blair said he will always appreciate the memories and relationships he built at Redwood.

He also says his best memories , “…Are just the assembly activities and just the energy… And then graduation, of course, going to graduation, seeing the kids, seeing how excited they are for school to be done, but also to all the emotions that come with the fact that school is now done and their new chapter is going to start.”

Since Blair is also starting a new chapter in his life he looks back throughout the years of things like assemblies and graduations that helped Redwood feel like more than just a workplace.

The decision to leave education was not easy, especially after spending so many years building relationships, however he felt it was time to pursue a different career to focus more on himself and his family.

Mr. Blair’s wife, Mrs. Blair, says, “I’m excited for him, but I’m also a little bit nervous for both of us. We’ve worked together now for 15 years here at Redwood, and so for him to switch something new, it’s exciting, but scary because he’s going to have to adjust to something different, and I’ll be there to support him. But, with new things comes excitement and fear all at the same time.”

Despite the uncertainty that comes with change, Mrs. Blair said she believes the new opportunity will ultimately be a positive step for him and their family.

They met their high school years and they had dated from the end of their senior year and have been together since then.

Mrs. Blair says, “It’s been great [working with him] because we don’t necessarily work side by side. You know, we have our own thing… We have lunch together most days, so not very many husbands and wives can say that they have lunch together every day. But, whenever we’d have Redwood events after school, I thought it was always cool that we got to go together and experience it together.”

Sharing the experience of working at Redwood created memories and routines that the couple will miss, since it gave them something to connect with, though their job.

Dr. Gridiron, Redwood’s principal believes Mr. Blair played a major role in shaping both students and staff during his time at Redwood.

Gridiron says, “Mr. Blair’s contributions at our school are huge. He’s served as a department chair for our school site, and he’s built our ACE Engineering Academy. And so you know, him being here has really been influential in helping newer teachers, but also helping our students find confidence and find, you know, a passion in engineering and really continuing to grow that department.”

Blair’s leadership and dedication extended beyond just teaching, so his work will continue to leave a lasting impact on the school’s community.

Gridiron also says, “So I think the bonds and the connections that he’s built with kids, the confidence and the support that he’s provided them, is something that they will miss. Our hope is that we can continue to, you know, copy or, follow in his footsteps and the things that he’s done. So that way we can maintain that same relationship, the same programming and the same opportunities that kids have always had.”

Blair’s commitment to students set an example that he hopes future teachers will continue to follow as his influence on students and campus culture will continue to be seen even after his departure.

Overall, Mr. Blair says, “I’m going to miss a lot, just the atmosphere. I’m going to miss a lot of the activities, the assemblies, the energy, the sports, the kids. Granted, it’s going to be going from a public sector to a private sector, but Redwood was home for 15 years, and I still will consider it home.”

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