Gregg Kowalski retires from Stedman Elementary

After 22 years of teaching at Stedman Elementary School, Gregg Kowalski is heading into a whole new world of learning-retirement.

Kowalski could be found packing up his classroom last Monday morning, taking down inflatable planets and Tibetan prayer flags, moving well-used couches to other classrooms, and organizing shelves full of books that he will leave for the teacher taking his place next year.

"It feels surreal. It's almost like I have to invent myself again, like being born again, because there's so much, there's so many possibilities that it's kind of intimidating," Kowalski said.

"It'...