22 May, 2000

Good-bye

DRAFT

May 22, 2000

Dear Everyone,

It is with tremendous regret that I must say good-bye. I return to my home in Washington State on May 24. I will miss the Healy, it's crew and passengers, and it's bridge in the tranquility and magnificence of the evenings at sea and in the ice. I will remember the people, the personalities, with great fondness and I will be smiling. I will remember the stunning splendor of the Arctic I have come to love and the ship, this marvelous icebreaker that took me there and was my home for the past three and one half weeks.

There are many people I want to acknowledge for facilitating and supporting my Arctic Healy experience. For the Teachers Experiencing Antarctica and the Arctic (TEA) Program funded by the National Science Foundation through the Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Informal Education of the Directorates of Education and Human Resources and the Office of Polar Programs and also for the United States Coast Guard, I extend grateful thanks and appreciation.

Gratitude and recognition also is extended to Captain Garrett, Executive Officer Oliver, and the personnel of the USCGC Healy and the Principle Investigators (P.I.s) of the TEA Program: Kelly Falkner, Deb Meese, and Stephanie Shipp. Special admiration, appreciation, and thankfulness is extended to Terry Tucker, the Co-Chief Scientist of this phase of the Healy's Ice Trials and my P.I. during this field experience, for generously sharing his expertise, time and guidance.

A heartfelt thank-you is extended to the crew, passengers and scientists of the Healy who patiently answered my many questions and allowed me to photograph, never complaining and always with kindness. This was their gift to education; to public, private, and informal education through me to you.

Parcticular thanks are extended to the Kiwanis Club of Silverdale, Washington, and to Tom and Nita Behrens and their home-school association for their gifts of money toward film processing costs.

I would be remiss if I did not thank my husband, Lester, my family, and my friends who wholeheartedly and unquestionably support my endeavors. It is always appreciated.

Does this sound like the Academy Awards? And to you, my audience, thank you for your correspondence, positive comments and for facilitating the implementation of my journals into classroom teaching and learning experiences for students.

This Healy field experience completes the first phase of my work. The second phase is sharing my experiences through speaking and presentation engagements, developing student-learning activities based upon my experiences and continuing to mentor teachers. If you should wish to contact me for a presentation engagement on my Arctic Healy experience, my Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica, experiences or both, you may contact me at the hotmail email address listed below.

Best regards,

Sandra Kolb

The science gear is crated, labeled and stored in the science gear storage space of the Healy. It's time to say good-bye. photo by Chris Meadus

Me, Sandra Kolb, writing my daily journals to you at my desk in my stateroom on the Healy. photo by Jerry Oldham

The USCGC Healy docked at pier 17, St. John's, Newfoundland.

The USCGC Healy at pier 17, St. John's, Newfoundland. photo by Sandra