A Look Back at the Year

Today I will say goodbye to the best group of students I have ever taught.

I knew this year would be different. I tried not to come in with too many expectations but I came in expecting I would have a better year than in the past. I certainly did.

Being where I am with these students has revitalized my love of what I do. Don't get me wrong. There were days where the kids drove me nuts and I wanted to rip my hair out. There were days that I was so overwhelmed by the seeming impossibility of teaching some things that I just wanted to bury my head in the sand. But despite the many changes and challenges of being some place completely new and vastly different, I have grown to love this profession unlike the previous three years.

Sure, I have some students that test my patience daily. I've lost my temper, raised my voice more often than I  like or should, and sat for several minutes waiting on students to get quiet because I just didn't have it in me to yell over the sheer noise in the room. I learned a lot about myself, my students, and how I do and don't want to do certain things in the future.

In years past I have been chomping at the bit for summer vacation for the simple fact that I would not have to see those students. This year, while I'm excited for summer vacation and ready for the welcome break, the feeling is different. I'm partly excited because I have so many ideas for next year that I want to be able to work on this summer. I've never been this excited about a new year before the current one is even over. I'll be teaching 5th grade again next year and I have to say this is my favorite grade. The kids are still young enough that they want to please (most of them) and they are sweet but they are old enough to be self-sufficient (most of them).

I'm ready to see some of them go (seriously!) but I am also going to honestly miss many of them. They have such fun personalities and make me laugh daily. Some of them have really great futures ahead of them. I'm so grateful God placed me here with such wonderful teachers, the greatest team I could ask for, fantastic students, and supportive parents. I have a lot on which I need to improve and plan to really work hard this summer to be ready for my group next year. I will be organized next year and I have already told my hubby that I will stay late Monday-Thursday to grade, plan, organize, etc. so that on Fridays I can comp out early, come home, and be fully devoted to my family on the weekend and not have to be concerned with plans for the upcoming week because it will be done.

Throughout the summer, I will try to post some of the projects I'm working on. Of course, I'm not original so most of the ideas I've gotten have come from Pinterest. There are few things that I would like to find really cheap or even free so if you know where I can find any of these items, let me know:
-milk crates
-plastic tubs
-filing cabinet
-large exercise balls
-wooden pallets

This summer is going to be great! I will get things done around the house and for school. I will spend time with my family. I plan to take some trips to the beach with my hubby and son. I want to start training for my 5k that will be in October. There is so much I want to accomplish this summer. I just need to stay motivated and on track.

Here's to a great year this year and a fabulous year come August!

So blessed to work where I do...working to make a difference in the lives of my students.