Mr. Woodruff retired last year after decades of teaching at LFHS, leaving behind an amazing legacy. To most students Mr. Woodruff was just another teacher, known for his genius mind, but to the students that had Mr. Woodruff as a teacher, he is much more than that.
Not only is Mr. Woodruff very smart but he also has a unique ability to connect with students in order to help them learn. Mr. Woodruff was able to come up with strategic ways for each student to learn at their best potential.
Although he was a great teacher while he worked at LFHS, he has many other talents that he is pursuing in retirement. Mr. Woodruff taught Latin for all of his career where his main hobby lies, but he has many other hobbies as well.
“Well, playing too much online chess, certainly…taking drawing classes, getting out for walks, visiting my family downtown Chicago, and cooking more meals at home,” said Woodruff
Alongside pursuing all of his personal hobbies in retirement, Mr. Woodruff has also found more freedom.
“A huge and delightful change is the change from “have to do” to “can do”. Work life can be very busy and full of things you must get done, but are not necessarily enjoyable,” Woodruff said. “Retirement has meant that I can do what I want to do when I want. So an expansion of personal freedom.”
Although retirement sounds great, it always comes with some sadness. Whether it is sad for the students to watch one of their beloved teachers leave the school, or it is sad for the teacher to leave their students and fellow staff.
“I certainly miss the contact with my colleagues and with students,” said Woodruff.
A lot of fellow faculty and staff members are not just co-workers but they are good friends, and to Mr. Woodruff that meant everything.
“Of course I deeply miss working with Mrs. Landvick. She and I taught together for 29 years and had a blast doing it. I know she is retiring this year and I’m so happy for her! She has been a wonderful colleague and friend for three decades. And there are many other colleagues I miss as well like my language department colleagues and so many across the other departments too. LFHS has a stellar faculty with so many excellent people. It was a pleasure to work alongside them all,” said Woodruff.
Many teachers that retire miss the beauty of teaching. Teaching and the pursuit of knowledge to some teachers mean a lot and carry over with them when they retire from teaching. Like many, Mr. Woodruff is another teacher who continues to work on his studies every day.
“I’m going back to reading Greek – especially Homer, reading Latin a little, learning Old English, learning other languages too. I started French and Italian this year,” said Woodruff.
Leaving behind an amazing legacy is enough for Mr. Woodruff though. He has been involved in the school for decades and has done an excellent job. Even though he loved his time at LFHS, he is ready to live in retirement and relax finally.
“No offense meant to anyone as I miss the students and my fellow teachers and teaching the content, but it is time to move on,” said Woodruff.
