Grateful for the Laughs
Since the first day of school this year I have shared with anyone who would listen how incredible this current class of 9th graders is. How loving, friendly, intelligent, polite, sweet, personable, driven, and overall happy they are. I would frequently come home from work or talk to friends and family and simply announce, "I am obsessed with my students" as I continued on to tell stories of my kids. The uniqueness of this group of students was evident since the very first day of school, they have something about them that is just different and oh so special. I am so grateful for the laughs, the learning, the conversations, the growth, the love, and the sincere happiness these students brought to me, and hopefully to each other, every day this year. The emotions I'm feeling- and all teachers are feeling- today, on Teacher Appreciation Day, as the governor announces schools will remain closed, during distance learning, on day 53 of quarantine, are dismal and heartbreaking.
My students and I had big plans together this spring for some incredible learning and amazing experiences. Two of my favorite days of the year are when we take our field trip to UConn and to my alma mater, Cheshire High School for the Excellence in Leadership Conference. This year, with a grant I won, I had also planned a trip to my other alma mater, St. John's University, for a college visit plus some fun in New York. I was thrilled to be able to give these students these opportunities. However, the world had another idea. The world's plans bring tears to my eyes as I think about certain students not being in my class ever again, not sitting in their assigned seat, not answering the questions I ask in class, not coming for a morning hug every single day. I get tears in my eyes when I think about them not getting excited when I hand out snacks, not feeling safe in a classroom I work so hard to create, and not learning and growing from our daily lessons and unique activities.
I still know that being a teacher is the best job in the world. I know that it's more important that we are all safe and home. I know that this experience will be a memory in my mind and in theirs, forever. So to my students, current and former, I love you, I miss you, and I hope you stay safe and strong. I truly cannot wait until the day we can be together again.
My students and I had big plans together this spring for some incredible learning and amazing experiences. Two of my favorite days of the year are when we take our field trip to UConn and to my alma mater, Cheshire High School for the Excellence in Leadership Conference. This year, with a grant I won, I had also planned a trip to my other alma mater, St. John's University, for a college visit plus some fun in New York. I was thrilled to be able to give these students these opportunities. However, the world had another idea. The world's plans bring tears to my eyes as I think about certain students not being in my class ever again, not sitting in their assigned seat, not answering the questions I ask in class, not coming for a morning hug every single day. I get tears in my eyes when I think about them not getting excited when I hand out snacks, not feeling safe in a classroom I work so hard to create, and not learning and growing from our daily lessons and unique activities.
I still know that being a teacher is the best job in the world. I know that it's more important that we are all safe and home. I know that this experience will be a memory in my mind and in theirs, forever. So to my students, current and former, I love you, I miss you, and I hope you stay safe and strong. I truly cannot wait until the day we can be together again.
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| I wrote this September 6, 2019 during our first week of school. From the moment I met them, I knew all of these students were special. |
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