A Message from the Author

The Bell Still Rings grew from a lifetime in education—and from the realization that some of the most important lessons we learn don't come from textbooks.

Throughout my career as a teacher and educational leader, I encountered remarkable people and unforgettable situations. Some were funny. Some were difficult. Some taught lessons I didn't fully understand until years later. This book brings together those true stories and the lessons that remained with me long after the moments themselves had passed.

But the story didn't end when my professional career in education did.

I built the Mayes School, a backyard schoolhouse that became a special gathering place for my grandchildren—a place for learning, imagination, laughter, and family traditions. The book includes the complete construction plans for the schoolhouse so that others who are inspired by the idea can build one of their own.

At its heart, The Bell Still Rings isn't simply a book about education. It's about people, choices, successes, mistakes, and those moments in life that stay with us and continue to teach us.

The school bell still rings, and its lessons continue.