“I’ve loved almost every minute of it. Thank you all so much, it’s been a great honor. ” At the CCUSD school board meeting of June 26, there was a box of tissues sitting next to the Superintendent of Schools, and everyone knew that she would be using them. When the moment came for Patti Jaffe to speak, the tears began to flow.
There were a number of accolades for Jaffe at the end of her career. Charles Stewart, deputy of the office of Assemblymember Holly Mitchell presented a commendation for her years of service, noting that “Career educators are becoming an endangered species, and Patti Jaffe has served at every level.”
Culver City Council member Jim Clarke was there to give Jaffe a commendation from the council. Highlighting her start as a part-time teachers aide at the end of her bachelor’s degree, Clarke recounted her many job titles in the district, and the dedication with which she served in all of them.
The Culver City Education Foundation presented a ‘brick’ for the district offices donated in Patti’s honor by the Friends of the Youth Health Center. The school board presented Patti with a bottle of champagne and two glasses to celebrate her retirement.
Former School Board President Scott Zeidman came to the podium to with his memories of Patti’s time as a teacher and congratulations for her retirement. “When [American Federation of Teachers Union President] Dave Meilke put out the call for teachers to come to the meeting and ask us to vote against the pay package, lots of teachers showed up. But what they told us was that we had to hire Patti as the Superintendent at any price.” The always modest Zeidman referred to himself as her ‘favorite student’ and wished Patti the best on her retirement.
When Assistant Superintendent Eileen Carrol thanked Patti and began to cry as well, it was the perfect motif.
Patti, Thanks for all you have done to help CCHS Students during your career!
Patti, thank you for teaching me so much about school administration. Your career is legendary and any person you mentored is bound to be an expert on creating positive school and workplace cultures. I hope CCUSD realizes how lucky it was to have you. Enjoy retirement, you deserve it!!!