I thought I would be doing more blogging of this school year, but I was kind of busy with a little thing called teaching, going to Target a few too many times, and being a dog mom…but really, this year was extremely busy in a good way.I feel like it was just summer and I was setting up my classroom, and here I am taking down my bulletin boards and saying goodbye to my kiddos.
I am extremely grateful for this year. (Extremely times ten)
I don't want you to perceive that everything this school year was perfect for me. I still encountered barf, germs, and whines, awkward teacher observations, heartbreaking stories, those tough students who never seem to be absent…. and all those other pretty teacher things :). It wasn't perfect, but it was better. I have come to terms that we as teachers will never have a "perfect" year, no matter how many years are under our belts. However, things will become better year by year, and you find your own sense of perfection. I've also learned to be grateful for the good times…I know things could of been tougher and much uglier (I had my fair share last year), so this year I have been extremely appreciative of the things that did go well.
Education is by far the hardest careers out there, mentally and physically… and I think there's beauty within the chaos. In a strange way, I really don't want an easy job. I want a job that challenges me to be my best, love harder than I ever thought I could, and create more than I could ever imagine. Teaching does that for me.
To really sum of this year, I would have to say God gave me grace.
You never know what types of students you will be dealt in the beginning of the school year, and I was anxious based off of last year's set. I prayed a lot over the summer that He would allow this teaching experience to be better, and redirect me that this is what I need to be doing. I prayed that He would give the words to best communicate to my students to make them successful. I prayed for community and positive vibes for the entire year.
I am grateful that God fulfilled those prayers.
Now to be letting go of the students I prayed over, endlessly worked on skills, built relationships with, loved full heartily, and laughed with a ton….is plain HARD! (as I type this my eyes are about to burst with tears)
Until you're a teacher, you'll never understand the feeling of letting go of something you worked so hard on. Working with students who only knew 7 words coming into first grade, and leaving reading 190 words... but more importantly he has the confidence to read aloud! Or having a student who was tremendously shy and would not talk to you for months talk and now they talk your ear off. To help a student write a smidgen of their success story is truly an honor. It's completely insane all the great things teachers get to be a part of that we often forget.
Last year I really doubted myself as a teacher, and really thought about changing paths. God knew I needed this group of smarties to redirect my thoughts and I cannot thank these little humans enough.
I am convinced my students taught me more this year than I taught them. They taught me kindness is contagious and much needed in the world. They taught me to believe in myself, and to never give up (something I always tell them but always seem to forget). They reminded me never to assume, because you don't know someone's story. They taught me to always look forward to to Tuesday because duh, it's always Taco Tuesday….But more importantly these kids taught me to love and how to accept love, even when I felt like I was unlovable.
I feel extremely honored to have worked with these firsties and to have had them a part of the room 6 family. I hope they go out into the world and show their golden hearts and their cute little smiles. This goodbye has been extremely hard. Thank you parents for sharing your littles with me.
xoxo- Miss Short
Here are some pictures of our last day together…excuse me while I cry.
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