The saying “all good things must come to an end” is a cliché I do not want to use, but it is the only saying that will give my DEEPEND Teacher at Sea experience any justice. This amazing journey has shown me things I have never seen or experienced before. Many things that I discovered on this trip could no way have been taught in a classroom by a lecturer. The first-hand accounts I have discovered produced a new found passion for the deep sea. I plan on building on the things I have learned and I plan on sharing them with my family, friends, and my COAST students at Cutler Bay Middle School.
I want to thank Dr. Sutton, Dr. Judkins, Dr. Moore, and Dr. Cook for allowing me to participate on this incredible journey, and for keeping me laughing throughout the trip! Thank you to my lab partner Mike and all the scientist on board the Point Sur that have helped me learn the lab routine. You all truly made me feel like a part of the team from the start.
I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Martinez, Mr. Bas, Mr. Callahan, Mrs. Mills, Ms. Carnall, Mr. Squirrell and my brother Jason for taking great care of my fish tanks, getting my classroom ready for the excited students Monday morning, and for getting things ready for an exciting school year! I want to thank my principal, Mr. Pfeiffer, for allowing me to continue my education and participate as the DEEPEND Teacher at Sea.
My COASTIES, we have so much to talk about when I return! I have plenty of stories and pictures to share that I am sure you all will also grow a new found passion for the deep sea just as I have.
I want to give a special thanks to my family, especially my daughter who was sad to see me leave, but understood how important this trip was. I love you very much!
This trip has been everything I could have imagined! Thank you for allowing me to share my experiences with you. I hope you had as great of a time reading my blogs, as I had creating them.
Signing off,
Chris Valdes, Teacher at Sea
