Ramblings of a school teacher

Only 20 more days to go. I am super pumped about the end being near, but I always find myself with weird feelings once the end has finally arrived. I feel like I left something on the table, like I could of done more, like I am not quite finished with these students.

The final weeks of school find me burned out and lacking patience. Behaviors I once tolerated are now unacceptable. I am easily flustered and often lost in a daydream. Sometimes I exhibit a person who I would have never wanted to be taught by. This year I am trying to slow down, de-stress,and enjoy the last weeks with my soon to be fourth graders.

The third graders have taught me a lot this year. So many of my kids have life experiences in short 8 years that I pray I never have. Yet, they are so resilient. They come to school day in day out, and they do bring their "best selves", whatever that might be. I had a principal tell me one time that parents send "their best to school." They don't just keep the good ones at home and send their ornery, rotten children. Rich, poor, sick, healthy, educated, teen mom....regardless all parents love their kids. I try to remember that as I teach my kids during the final weeks.

My class just finished one of the best books I have ever read. It came as a recommendation from friend and a colleague of mine, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. It is the story of an emotionless china rabbit that finds himself lost from his owner, a young girl named Abilene, to whom he is not loving. He loves his beautiful, expensive clothing, accessories and pristine look. Once he is distanced from her he bounces from owner to owner, home to home. It is quite an adventure and he learns much from each home. His journey forces him to open his heart, recognize the significance of relationships, and experience the roller coaster ride of life.

Teaching comes with its ups and downs, victories, and frustrations, and each year is definitely a journey. In this profession we can put up a boundary and pretend the only things that matter are the test scores. But as for me, a teacher, when I grow to know my kids, develop relationships, and see them as people who have value, I find there are so many things that I want them to know. So much that is not covered by the required state curriculum or discussed in text books. Maybe that is what I feel is sometimes "left on the table", the truly important life lessons that many of today's students do not learn at home.