One of my treasures.

I don't miss teaching at all although I did enjoy it until the paperwork started swamping my desk and I couldn't find the chalk (no white boards in my day!). On my retirement I was given this ornament by a very special family . over a number of years I taught the four children and have fond memories of them all.
When I started teaching I did wear a black gown - for warmth rather than any academic reason - but I NEVER wore a mortar board!