By HALEY WESTON

“Where’s Macau?” Mr. Books would stand at the front of the room and ask his students.  He played this question enough, that students took the ball and created a meme “Where’s Macau?” featuring a headshot of Mr. Books.

“Where’s Macau?” Mr. Books would pause just long enough to cause students to think and then answer for them: “I don’t know where your cow is, but Macau is in the barn!”

While many retired teachers choose to spend little to none of their time at their former workplace, Don Books is still finding and enjoying plenty of ways to spread his humor and stay involved in the Mariemont City School District.

“It’s simple. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my 28 years at Mariemont,” said Books. Books’ enjoyment is clear, he doesn’t hide the fact that the majority of his time is dedicated to the school system.

“Now that I am retired, I dedicate the most time to Mariemont athletics and keeping the athletic director, Mr. Nerl, relatively sane,” said Books.

In addition to these roles, Books does some substitute teaching for social studies teachers in the junior high and high school. Books says that he can and is willing to help the district with anything it needs because of his new, flexible schedule.

“I feel being around young people helps keep me younger than my chronological age would otherwise have you think. Additionally, my wife can’t retire until next year and she won’t allow me to just lay around the house and do nothing while she goes to work everyday,” Books explains of his additional motives to stay involved.

Although Books still helps within the district, he says that what he misses most about being a teacher is the day-to-day interaction with his students and fellow teachers. While he tried from his position as a full-time teacher, Books did not retire any teaching-memories.

“One of my best memories was my 6th bell class from last year presenting me a class t-shirt with the phrase ‘Can’t nothin’ bring me down’ and then blue and gold mugs with our class picture on them! It was a total surprise!” Books remembers.

Even though Books misses being a teacher, he does admit that retirement has its perks.

“The best part is not having to get up when it’s still dark outside everyday,” Books says. Books also enjoys the freedom of his new schedule.

“The biggest change is that I can actually choose to do things or go somewhere in the middle of the day–it’s wonderful,” Books says.

The former European History teacher’s absence has not gone unnoticed at the school. Mariemont students miss Mr. Books and his sense of humor.

“I never felt like I had to laugh at his little puns and odd humor like you have to with some teachers.” Maddie Timmers, a senior and former student of Books’, says. “He was just funny. I wanted to laugh simply because it was Mr. Books.”