End of the year brings new beginnings

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”  Winnie the Pooh

As we close up for the school year, we inadvertently become consumed with our physical environment.  There are assessments to be scored, reports to be completed, boxes to be pack, and more boxes to be packed. The physical work, which can be seen by others, doesn't compare to the emotional turmoil that is occurring at the same time within us.  It is difficult to say goodbye, knowing that such small people take up such a big place in our lives and hearts. Each book we read together, each sentence we wrote, each math equation helped us to make connections, deepened our understanding of what is important in life. Each one of these parts to our day has contributed to our whole well-being. Thank You.  Each student has taught me something even more, and made me a better teacher, a better person. 

Saying goodbye to my school family at the end of each year is always difficult.  This year is even more so as our district prepares to restructure our schools.  Some days (lately it seems like most)  I spend more time with my school family then I do my own.  We celebrate our successes, our joys, our frustrations, disappointments, and sadness together. These people are woven into my heart, soul, and mind.  Each one has helped me in so many different ways. They never get tired of helping me find my keys or phone. They never get tired of helping me rearrange my room. They never get tired of listening to my latest idea that I think will help students in some way. They never get tired of listening to stories of my kids. We celebrated and we have cried.  Each person that I have been fortunate to be part of my school family has had a greater impact on my heart than I will ever be able to express. Thank you. You are my family, school is our address.

I couldn't close this entry without saying thank you to my family.  You have supported me, loved me (even when I haven’t been very loveable), and taken care of our home and my heart. I love you; you are my foundation and inspiration. Simply said, you are everything to me.