Just a Light Story

So, today my friend, Rachel who teaches Kindergarten, and I went to school to do some last little clean up everything. (We both slacked on Friday.) The first thing, I was cleaning out my ball box and in it I was left a gift, a paper 3-D art, it looked like the Lock Ness Monster. I should have kept it to take a picture it, was hilarious. I don't know many kids who would be content enough with about 5 pieces of paper, staples, tape, and markers. It had ridges on its back, a tail, I thought I was going to die. I went and put it on the principal's desk, because I knew he would throw it away and I couldn't get myself to do it.
The last little thing. We got a new custodian today. While we were just finishing up my principal was taking him around the school to show him, and they were going to the custodian's office. I was waiting for Rachel in the kindergarten room which is right across the hall. My principal introduced us to him and then made a comment that Rachel and I are kept far apart because when we are separate we are good, but you get us together. . . "Oh! That reminds me," I started. "As I was walking down the hall I was thinking. You should really move me closer to Rachel. I have to walk to far." Needless to say I was just laughed at. Hey, I think it was worth a try.
I finished getting things in order, now I can enjoy my summer until Aug. 13. I will keep updating with all my fun and exciting things I am doing. I am sure I will have plenty of pictures when I get back from my trip.

I'm done. . . Now what?

The school year ended on Friday. Mixed emotions, it is so great knowing that I have the first year behind me. It is sad because I am going to miss my class. I realized the down part of teaching 6th grade in an elementary school, I don't get to see my kids in the halls, or at activities. I'll only see them if they come and visit me.
The moment it really hit me, I was taking things off of my wall, and I have a poster I had made into a puzzle on the first day we put it together, and then they all signed it. I was looking at all their names, and I wanted to cry. They were so much fun to be around all year. It is kind of disheartening to hear at the beginning of the year how bad this class is going to be, not from the other teachers, but from the parents. That is how my year started out. Then on Friday I heard a different story from the parents, they all were so grateful I was here for those kids. I am grateful I was here for them, and they were here for me. I think I shocked a couple of parents by telling them how much I loved their kid in my class. There is no doubt it was a hard year. But at least I had the students who brightened my day every time I saw them. Let's hope next year is just as fun and just as good.
Now what? Well, I leave on my Church History trip in 14 days. When I get back I will have a month before I go to CORE academy for three days. An old roommate is getting married that same week. Then the next week I am going camping in Southern Utah with my ward. Then that next week I have to come back to school to get ready for next year. Busy, busy summer, I know, but it will be worth it.

Six Days. . . and counting

Okay, so this has to be quick becuase I have about a billion things that need to be done, and I am not doing any of them. But, I just got my raw scores from CORE testing. And at this moment there are some feelings of being a failure and there are some feelings of I am so great. Then there is the "next year I will. . . " I have been filling that sentence in all month. The biggest one on my list, "Next year I will not leave during the last two weeks of school." The others are all just as thought provoking and needed. Oh well. Back to CORE I felt really good until I saw the other two teachers scores, and I know I can't compare myself to them, but it is hard not too. I just totally feel like I will never match up to them. I also have a feeling of I need to match up to them. I just need to let that go and not worry about it. "Next year I will make sure I cover the CORE with enough time to study and prepare more."

Bliss

Bliss for me comes in many forms. Today it is the fact that for the last hour I haven't really had to deal with any of my students. I love their guts don't get me wrong. I just don't love their attitudes sometimes. Yesterday, they did Shakespeare plays for the whole morning, and I didn't have to deal with them until noon. That was very wonderful and nice. The day wasn't too busy they got to watch a movie and then I took the 6th grade out for recess and had to deal with the fifth graders. I had more problems with the 5th graders than the 6th grade. 9 days, well almost 8, and that is another moment of bliss for me.
Last night I went to their plays because my roommate wanted to see them. They did a great job and I am so proud of them. They are such a great group and a lot of them really shined out there on the stage. I did laugh quite a bit during Hamlet, but that was because personalilties were coming out on stage, and my goof offs were mostly in that play. So, I was laughing at that.
I don't know how much I can say this and not make it sound dumb, or fake, but even though I am ready for the school year to end, I am going to miss those kids in my class. There are so many fun personalilties. I have a lot that you just can't help but like. They drive me crazy sometimes, but I still think they are the best ever. The hardest thing for me this year hasn't been the students, it has been the team I work with. But, That is something out of my control so I will be happy with what is good, and with my students.

Update

To update from the last posting. I am staying in sixth grade at my school. I had the reading specialist tell me I should leave the other day. And I thought, "The NERVE." and I said, "No. I am staying." And I am stubborn enough to show the team that I can do it. So, here I go. It is going to be hard, but I am going to make it work.
On the lighter side. 2 weeks and we are finished. Next week the sixth grade is putting on two Shakespeare plays: Hamlet, and Mid Summer's Night Dream. It is going to be fun to see what they can do. Then there is the Feast, and Math Science Olympiad, as well as Lagoon, Field Day, and then graduation. It will be a whirlwind last two weeks.
My first year is almost behind me, and I am very happy, excited, sad, proud, worried, and ready. I really loved my group of kids in my class. They made me laugh and think. I think I will be a better teacher because of them and what they have shown me.
I leave in a month to go back east and I am very excited about that. I am looking forward to the break away from the normal life for a while. It is going to be busy. With my trip, CORE academy, weddings, and church activities, then school starts back up again. I hope I can add some hanging out with friends, concerts, and all that to the list. It is going to be a great summer.