I teach a sequential engineering program in SoCal where I can have kids for 4 years - they enter the program as freshmen, and if they improve, develop, and persevere, they can have a class with me for their entire career. Yesterday 13 seniors had me for the last time. It was a very sweet and melancholy class period as we reflected and reminisced about what they learned in my program during their tenure here. It is one of my favorite days of the year, when I can hear from them what they got from me and what they will take with them to college and beyond. I love this job.
I too, really for the most part hate to see the end of the year. Most of my AP kids have been my classes for 3 years. They haven't had another history teacher in HS. I am kind of jealous of the teacher next year who will have them in Honors Government. New ones will come in next year. I hope they are as good.
I have to say that as a group, this was the best collection of kids that I had. Sure, there were some problem children, but there were also kids that I will genuinely miss. I guess what summed it up was a baseball player, headed to college on scholarship who said, "I didn't expect to like art, but I did. I didn't think I could draw, but I could." Wow. And that is why I am still here. With people leaving, I am now department head and I will only have one class of Art I-and the rest of Art II, Art III and AP. I think I had better rest now, I have a feeling with all of those preps, I am going to need it.
7 comments:
Don't worry, you still have another year of me.
I can hear Ode To Joy playing now. (said in deadpan voice)
I teach a sequential engineering program in SoCal where I can have kids for 4 years - they enter the program as freshmen, and if they improve, develop, and persevere, they can have a class with me for their entire career. Yesterday 13 seniors had me for the last time. It was a very sweet and melancholy class period as we reflected and reminisced about what they learned in my program during their tenure here. It is one of my favorite days of the year, when I can hear from them what they got from me and what they will take with them to college and beyond. I love this job.
I too, really for the most part hate to see the end of the year. Most of my AP kids have been my classes for 3 years. They haven't had another history teacher in HS. I am kind of jealous of the teacher next year who will have them in Honors Government. New ones will come in next year. I hope they are as good.
My son's high school football coach works hard with his players and genuinely cares about them. And, in return, they play their hearts out for him.
At the football banquet is was something to see him get choked up and unable to talk when introducing his graduating seniors.
I'm sure it's really tough for teachers, coaches and administrators who really care.
I have to say that as a group, this was the best collection of kids that I had. Sure, there were some problem children, but there were also kids that I will genuinely miss. I guess what summed it up was a baseball player, headed to college on scholarship who said, "I didn't expect to like art, but I did. I didn't think I could draw, but I could." Wow. And that is why I am still here. With people leaving, I am now department head and I will only have one class of Art I-and the rest of Art II, Art III and AP. I think I had better rest now, I have a feeling with all of those preps, I am going to need it.
You're department head--pawn off one of those preps!!!
One of the best things a student ever told me--and an 8th grader, at that--was, "Thank you for teaching me something I didn't think I could learn."
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