Tomorrow = LAST DAY!!!!

I'm sitting here thinking about tomorrow being my last day as a Teacher Assistant. I cannot believe this is happening. This semester has been a crazy ride full of ups and downs. Thankfully, though, more ups than downs. I started out my semester with a group of inner-city children who stole my heart. Their lack of material belongings didn't stop them from caring for me as I was with them. Their smiles and hugs brightened my days like nothing else could. It came to be that the teacher that I was working alongside was not able to continue teaching for whatever personal reason. I was pulled out of his classroom as it was a toxic environment and one that Grand Valley did not want me to be a part of. I was okay with my removal from this room (as I was made very uncomfortable), but my heart ached and still does for the children I left behind. They have left a permanent mark on my heart, and I know that I will never be able to remove them from my memory even if I tried. I learned so many things about myself and the art of teaching through their eyes and words. I'm forever indebted to them for all they were able to teach me in such a short time.

After being removed from my first placement after only three weeks, I was placed in another classroom. This was a 5th grade classroom. I fell in love with these students instantly. I love 5th grade and the awkward nature of the children within it. I love the questions they are able to come up with and the general knowledge that they are able to show me so eagerly. I was excited to see them so excited and thirsty for the knowledge I was able to give to them. I loved their curiosity and their truthfulness. I loved their desire to improve themselves and the kind words they were able to share with me over the days/weeks I was blessed with them. I learned so many things from these kids as well. It truly is amazing how much we forget about what really matters when we get caught up in the craziness of life. These precious children made me laugh daily and opened my eyes to the difficult lives they were living. Children coming from split homes, homes with parents in and out of jail, and even children stricken with homelessness were able to teach me about their lives. Through the stories that we were able to share I was able to love them from where they came from and peer into the people they are before/after school hours. This is what teachers are meant to do. It is not only getting the material across, but also reaching your students and empowering them to become all that they can become.

I feel so blessed to have had this semester as a growth period as a teacher. With tomorrow being my last day, I feel the pressure to show/tell these wonderful kids just how much they mean to me and to the rest of the world. I pray that the words I speak to them will stay with them as long as they live. Each of my students will be successful if they are able to make the correct decisions in their lives. I will never cease to pray for them, their home lives, their studies and ultimately, their success in this world.