Thursday, May 31, 2012

Bittersweet, Awkward, and Gratitude!

Well, the year is over and we all finally have a chance to breathe, relax, and reflect on our students and our teaching.  With my new position in a new district next year, it was definitely a bittersweet week.

 I have had a student all year who randomly says "awkward" during the middle of a lesson.  Nearly every time it doesn't fit the situation, but it is kind of funny.  Anyway, on the last day of school I started to tell them how great they were, how lucky I was, and that I would never forget them.  As I am talking, I start crying and the kids get all weird.  Right in the middle of me crying, this boy says "awkward".  It was perfect!  At that moment I knew I had taught at least one kid something.  He finally mastered what was truly "awkward".  **Proud teaching moment!** Haha.

At the start of this week, my classroom was still intact and looked similar to these two pictures.  Knowing I was leaving, I had a lot TREMENDOUS amount of work to do to clean out my room, cabinets, classroom library, and all of the other crap I had accumulated for "someday" activities and time.  I knew I was just putting off the inevitable...




So after spending Memorial Day in the room, dragging my mom in all day on Wednesday, and loading up her van, and my car, twice, my room finally looks like this.  I must say walking out this evening was  sad.  The teaching profession is all about creating a safe, learning environment that encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and well rounded students.  To be honest, all I could do was cry when I looked back and this was all I could see of my last 5 years in this school.  
 I walked out, said good bye to The Riley Ranch (or what once was), and looked on to the great new beginning that will be!

And for the gratitude.  The teachers and staff I work with are the most amazing individuals I have ever met.  They have pushed me professionally, allowed me to pick their brains constantly, let me make crazy mistakes, made me laugh, made me cry, and most of all made me a better person.  I have the utmost gratitude for all of them, and would not be the teacher I am today without all of them.

And to top it off, they nominated me for Teacher of the Year this year!  Crazy, right?  Right!  Do they even know how much I have learned from them!? Boy I hope so!  Photobucket

6 comments:

Lisa R. said...

Oh my gosh, I have a student who keeps saying "awkward" at random times too. It's gotten to the point where it's driving me nuts lol. He never uses it at the right time. I asked him today if he knew what awkward means & he didn't have a clue! :)
Lisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure

Just Wild About Teaching said...

you ladies make me laugh.... i also have a student never use awkwarrd correctly... ill really be reading a story and hell just say awwwwkkkkward lol its to cute!! anyways have a great summer and congrats for being nominated for teacher of the year!!!

Shannon said...

I'm with you on the crying part. Except this year not one tear rolled down my face-it was a very challenging year for me professionally and personally. :) Glad it's over! Good luck on your new gig! :)

Shannon
http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

luckeyfrog said...

I love the 'awkward' :) How funny!

I bet it was so hard to leave your current school- but I'm excited for you! Assuming you're still in Indiana... it's a tough time to find a teaching job! I hope you really enjoy your summer getting ready for your new school!

Jenny
Luckeyfrog's Lilypad

Natalie said...

I had to pack up my whole room, too! It's amazing how much stuff you can accumulate in such a short period of time.

Congrats on the nomination! You deserve it!!!

Natalie
TeacheryTidbits

Kayla Holcomb said...

Oh boy...that post officially made me cry! Darn it!