Last Day of School

Wrapping up this school year has been quite the feat, given other circumstances in life this year. Without going into tons of details, there have been several changes surrounding me and when changes occur, it tends to take tons out of me on every realm.

And so I have been really trying to finish well, to stay engaged, to complete the tasks ahead of me, and mostly, to listen to my kids, as we wind down. And yet it has really been challenging.

Closing things down started on Wed when I had my last class with each of my students at Allen. The week before we had began these home-made books, and so on Wed we took time to read each other our stories as well as have (another) little fiesta. As the kids talked about their books and shared memories from the year I was overcome with gratitude for the ways in which these young ones have taught me so much. My K-5th graders are so full of life, so vibrant, so eager to share what's on their hearts and minds. Oh and they love so generously. One girl even wrote her book about me. (There once was a beautiful, kind, and fun teacher...) NOT EVEN KIDDING. (sigh).

And then yesterday was my last day at Francis Slocum and my chance to really say goodbye to my kids at Mcculloch. And so, even though one of the kids at the Elementary school was a rascal and had to be sent back to his room and miss the party :(, and another, one of my harder students at the Middle School broke the record bowl I had made him on purpose because he didn't want anything from me, I still was so full of love and care for each of them. I know that these kids, so many of them, don't have it easy. For a variety of reasons, there lives are hard. And yes, sometimes they make stupid decisions to act out, to not listen, to be mean, to take it out on others or the Teacher, and yet, they are just so darn cute too.

And then this morning, when I thought that I shouldn't really expect much, that most of the kids would be gone anyways and that my hours would mostly be spent packing and tidying the room, three kids specifically came to my room to say goodbye to me. And one of them was the kid who broke the bowl. The youngest of the three, who also happens to be my favorite looked at me and said:

Have a good summer, Miss. Schmidt.
I'll miss you.

That was it. That was all I needed. For all year--for all the tears and anger I've held, for all the disappointment and frustration I've felt at our community and circumstances and families and, and, and...these few words made everything else disappear and my heart again, is so full.