Robin Ledford Says Goodbye to TC
Goodbye Taft, Hello China
By Etelvina Castillo and Nick Kawano
Taft College has said goodbye to a faculty member, Robin Ledford. She has been part of the Taft College faculty for 7 years and is now saying goodbye to Taft College and hello to China. Ledford loves traveling and teaching English so what better than doing both at once. She has been offered a job in China as an English teacher and is really excited about this new opportunity.
This will be her first time having her own English classroom as a teacher. She is not required to speak Chinese since English will be the only language allowed to be spoken in her classroom.
Ledford admits to be a bit nervous about the food and etiquette there is in China but is still excited for this new journey in her life.
Ledford started off as a student worker at Taft College and moved her way up to being VP Assistant of Instruct to now teaching abroad. Besides China, Ledford said she would like to teach in another country perhaps somewhere in South America.
Her last day at Taft College was March 14th, and faculty and staff members organized a small farewell party for her. Ledford will definitely be missed by Taft College.
To students who are interested in teaching abroad she said, “It’s way easier than you would think, if you want to do it then just do it.”
As a farewell to Robin, her colleague Jeanene Robertson wrote:
The time to face reality has come
Her time here is really done
She brought so much to the table
So willing, so inspiring, so able
So innovative
So creative
Pushed the envelope
Helped things develop
Created relationships that are everlasting
Willing to give her all without ever asking
Saw the bigger picture
Did everything to make sure
Taft College would be successful for the future
She’s been here since she was twenty
Growing, maturing, stressing…oh plenty
Being a part of Instruction is not easy
It’s a giant task that sometimes makes you queasy
No problem she said
She still came to work knowing that
She was an important piece…that’s a fact
It won’t be the same
But that’s ok
She will leave knowing we are still in the game
Thank you is the least we can say
And good luck as you go on your new way
Enjoy this new step
Make memories to be kept
We will miss you
And if you know anything to be true
Instruction is throwing a party for you
Not just one…but two
So come one come all
Say your good byes
But please do not cry
It is just time for our Robin to fly…