"My mom said you were retiring," he said casually as I picked him up for our reading club. "She said you were re-tired! I promise I will be good and listen and get a star every day and not make you so tired," he said sincerely.
"Where are you going?" his friend and current reading partner asked. "Are you tired?"
Usually, I assure 2nd graders, like this duo, that I will check on their reading in the fall.
Usually, kindergarten and 1st grade students ask no questions about the future.
Usually, I assure 3rd graders moving up that I will be checking on them and stopping by their new building as they move up to 4th grade.
Usually, I remind students they need to read during the summer to make me happy in the fall.
This year is not usual.
"I'm not tired of kids like you, that is for sure! I am changing to be a teacher of teachers," I offered thinking they might buy into my idea if I sold it right!
"But you are a good teacher of kids," one of my group offered tearing at my heart and causing tearing my eyes.
In my head, I heard the words of Kahil Gibran, "Your children are not your children. They are sons and daughters of the universe yearning to be free."
In my heart, I am sure the new "reading club" teacher will have new and exciting tricks up her/his
sleeve!
Yet, I must admit I will miss this kids like this duo:a reluctant reader and a student whose reversals are legendary.
I answered their questions honestly assuring them I would always be part of their memories of schools and that they were ready for a change.
I told them they needed to stay in touch and write to me.
I hope they will.
I will not miss the 4:45 wake ups.
I will not miss board/administrative and teacher agendas focused on "things" other than children's needs.
I will miss the students who found reading and writing challenging.
I will miss the miracle of struggling readers who begins to soar as the "code" begins to make sense. It never gets old.
"This sure is bittersweet," I thought as I pulled out the books and we began reading on this next to last day as Mrs. Ferreri, Reading Teacher.
"Where are you going?" his friend and current reading partner asked. "Are you tired?"
Usually, I assure 2nd graders, like this duo, that I will check on their reading in the fall.
Usually, kindergarten and 1st grade students ask no questions about the future.
Usually, I assure 3rd graders moving up that I will be checking on them and stopping by their new building as they move up to 4th grade.
Usually, I remind students they need to read during the summer to make me happy in the fall.
This year is not usual.
"But you are a good teacher of kids," one of my group offered tearing at my heart and causing tearing my eyes.
In my head, I heard the words of Kahil Gibran, "Your children are not your children. They are sons and daughters of the universe yearning to be free."
In my heart, I am sure the new "reading club" teacher will have new and exciting tricks up her/his
sleeve!
Yet, I must admit I will miss this kids like this duo:a reluctant reader and a student whose reversals are legendary.
I answered their questions honestly assuring them I would always be part of their memories of schools and that they were ready for a change.
I told them they needed to stay in touch and write to me.
I hope they will.
I will not miss the 4:45 wake ups.
I will not miss board/administrative and teacher agendas focused on "things" other than children's needs.
I will miss the students who found reading and writing challenging.
I will miss the miracle of struggling readers who begins to soar as the "code" begins to make sense. It never gets old.
"This sure is bittersweet," I thought as I pulled out the books and we began reading on this next to last day as Mrs. Ferreri, Reading Teacher.
1 comment:
Ah, a change on the horizon, filled with good things to look forward to and sadness for what you're leaving behind. Embrace both and know that you will be a force for good with the teachers you'll work with this fall.
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