My students and this experience have had such a profound effect on me. I know that leaving here, I will leave a changed person. One who appreciates so much more, who communicates better, who loves without boundaries, who laughs more, and who will never forget how lucky she really is.
As I began to tear down my classroom, my students have realized that the end is near. They are constantly begging me not to go, and to stay one more year. We go round and round with the conversation about why I can't stay, though it breaks my heart every time. Today, the students put together a surprise party at recess for the teachers. They gave us juice, candy, cookies, and chips. They had planned everything on their own, including who would bring what. It was at this moment the realization hit of how much these students truly mean to me. They are thoughtful and loving and though we have had our moments, and they do remember the days that Miss Kristin was "grumpy" they still love me nonetheless. It was also this moment where I realized just how lucky I am. I have received so much love and support from all my friends and family and students that have come in and out of my life. I can't even begin to express how grateful I am for all the love I have been given in my 26 short years of life, it is more than some people receive in a lifetime. My heart feels so much joy but hurts at the same time knowing that within a few short days I will have to say goodbye to these amazing students, and they will never get to understand how much they have given me.
Some of the most recent favored moments with my students:
After experiencing quite a bit of difficulty with one math lesson, we return from recess to attack the lesson from a different angle. This of course changed our schedule for the day. So I told my students we would have to "shuffle" around our schedule. My students of course ask "Mees, what is shuffle?" I tell them it means to move things around. One students stands up and begins dancing and singing "Every day I am just shuffling" - video is available upon request.
While practicing verbs in the present and past, I told my students a story in the present which they had to change to the past. I left the story open ended so that the students could finish the story which went a little something like this. I went to a dark scary castle, I heard a noise and I saw........ Well my lil girls are such the little romantics and of course I saw a prince who "ironically" was named Wrenn and we got married and lived happily ever after....silly kids. They have also decided that if we have kids their names should be Oskar, Nancy, and Fabiola.
I have one student who is particularly upset about me leaving and is constantly hugging on me and telling me she will miss me. Today I gave the students parts of the border that I have taken down, and almost of all the students said they will use it to remember me (very sweet, I know) then, this student asked if I would forget her and I told her I could never forget her and that she and the other students will stay in my heart forever. She ran and told all the other students that they will be in my heart forever and I had students running up to me to tell me that I would be in their hearts too. These kiddos are so precious.
If I have learned one lesson from my students it's that you don't need fancy technology, resources, you don't even need a printer or copy machine for students to learn all you have to do is love and believe in them.
Dear Minerva Class of 2021, I will always remember and love you!
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