The other night, I was speaking to a friend, discussing my new class and the beginning of the school year. I gushed over my new classroom and co-teacher; my students from last year; the Nature Center as a whole. I talked about my Master's program and the goals I had set for myself this year. But mostly, I talked about my former students and how hard it is to watch them grow and change and move on to new teachers and new classrooms. He listened to me go on and on for a long time before saying, "I could never be a teacher! I would get too attached; too involved. It would be so hard to say goodbye every year." This comment echoed in my head when I was asked to sub for a class filled with my students from last year.
"Miss Raina!" I was greeted with hugs, smiles, and stories. When they settled down, we made play dough and read a story. My co-teacher measured them and discussed being taller or shorter. We had snack and went for a long walk; searching the pond for creatures and running up and down a hill. Although they still love me and want to talk to me, they have moved on from my care and my classroom. They are older and are excited to be with new teachers and in a new space. I realized today, that maybe it isn't so hard to let go. It's exciting to see that the lessons they had learned from you are still with them. I love to watch them grow and change. I will always be their teacher, and they will maintain a special place in my heart.
No comments:
Post a Comment