Saturday, May 5, 2007

   The last day of apprentice teaching was yesterday.

Wow. So much happened.

I brought donuts and cinnamon rolls in the morning for their snack time. When I said I’ll call out the quiet tables to get snacks first, it suddenly became dead silent in the room and all the children sat upright with their hands folded on their desks. You could hear the crickets churping in the background. It was both eerie and humorous at the same time.

We had a learning celebration and my going-away party. About 1/3 or ½ of the parents showed up. The children and parents were in groups where they read aloud their historical fiction writing. They’re fabulous writers. Then we had an awesome cake! Lots of sweets Friday.

It turned out that everyone chipped in to get me a huge basket of classroom supplies which was carried in by two people! Then I received a book filled with the students’ letters. OK, I couldn’t read it then and there, though they insisted, because when I flipped it open to read one page, I nearly welled up, so I closed it, and decided to read it later when I returned home. The parents were so nice, and had some personal conversations with me. One told me that she and her son were moving back to Mexico City, and gave me their address and contact information in case I needed a place to stay if I were to drop by!

Afterwards, we had lunch and recess. I sat and watched one last game of kickball. I love watching them play kickball, because there’s something to laugh about or be excited every other minute. I try to restrain myself from showing which team I favored. =P.

At the end of the day, I gave a short speech on their greatness =) and handed everyone a letter. Each kid received a class letter and individual letter from me with rants about how wonderful they are. Then everyone got in a line, and hugged me before dismissal.

Later I found out that one of the students took $3 out of his personal bank to donate to my gift. $3 is a lot for a 4th grader! Think about it. When I read his letter to me, he asked me to stay to be his 5th grade teacher, and he was willing to give me $100. How sweet. =*]. All the letters were simply heartwarming, and I’ll keep them forever.

I’m going to miss them so much. I’m skeptical that there could be a class more adorable and sweeter than the class I worked with this school year. I feel so fortunate to have worked with this particular group of children. It was more than memorable.

In 4 years they will be in high school. 8 years, college. I can’t wait to see all the wonderful things they will do.

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