I'm kind of late on this but I'll post anyway! I used to teach music - 4 choirs and a piano class, high school level. It was my first teaching job, and boy howdy, was I not ready. I don't play piano... I play keys, like in rock bands... but no piano! I had the son of the local university's head of choral conducting in my show choir... he was a miserable man, and didn't approve of my music school's choral conductor (Azusa Pacific University in the Gary Bonner era) Anyway, I teach computer stuff now - digital imaging, web publishing and computer applications (MS Office) and like it a lot better. I play bass and sing backup in a busy cover band and really love performing... I also play for my worship team at my church. I don't miss "teaching" music, though I'm having a blast teaching my 11 year old son electric bass and guitar! C h e e r s, gene

Jenny, I have a friend that used to teachin Tazewell. Jackie Yates. However, it's been a long time ago. She has two sisters who did teach in VA but are now retired.

Okay, here is my dilemma. I am a high school teacher and do not mean to send obnoxious but I am a very popular high school student. Meaning my former students come to see me to talk to me and hang out with me, students hang out with me during their lunch, students want me to sponsor and attend their activities. I am truly saying this for a reason...Reason being...my department chairperson thinks that I should not tell my students the exact nature of my surgery because she is afraid that some of my students will follow suit in later life because I am popular and well-liked. As a sidebar, this woman, who is a great person, is terrified of me having the surgery and tries to change my mind at every turn. Well, actually, she had stopped because she realized that I was going to have the surgery regardless. Do you feel that I would be doing my students a disservice if I tell them about the true nature of my surgery? I love my kids and my kids and myself had separation anxiety when I went on a cruise for a week; I am going to be out for seven weeks post-surgery. I miss my babies already. I have three student aides who have been told the truth and they have my number to call if the sub is out of control. I just don't know what to do. Rhoyal Queen Bee

music teacher here - elementary (prek-5th). i feel so much more comfortable being in front of the kids now! 100lbs down and 70lbs to go! monet

Dear Gene, Congratulations on getting your approval for WLS!!! About letting work know about the surgery, I think that telling them should not worry you that much. Your primary concern will be on recovery from the WLS and also on the knowledge that you will be making a major life style change for the rest of your life. Maybe it would be best to have the surgery during the summertime so that you will have plenty of time off from work to get it done and recuperate. Then you won't have to tell work if you don't want to. Personally, I would not tell work just yet. Hold off with telling anyone at your job now. Then when you really feel comfortable with telling others about the WLS then you can come to the conclusion of whether you want to say anything or not. I hope that I have been some help to you. Lots of luck and I hope you have a speedy recovery. Soon you will be on the losiing side!!! Sincerely yours, Annette