Bittersweet Goodbye

Today was my last day of work. It is unreal and wonderful that soon I will be a new mom, but also sad that I will not be returning to Franklin School next year. i have made such lasting connections with such amazing people, and I cannot believe that I will not see them every day. I cannot believe that I will not see twenty 9 and 10 year olds every day. I won't be grading homework, emailing parents (except with new baby pictures!), giving tests, teaching how to multiply two digit by two digit numbers, or reading The BFG aloud. I will not be taking the kids to gym, ringing the bell at recess, complaining to colleagues about little things, hosting Open House, or making teams for field day.

Of course, I will soon be doing entirely new and incredible things with my time. I will be feeding, changing, and showering my baby with love. I will go to her when she cries, comfort her when she needs comforting, and love her more than I thought humanly possible. I will become her teacher, and I think that will make me a better teacher when I return next year.

School's ALMOST Out for Summer!

And I cannot wait. 12 days left. Many of those days are filled with instrument concerts, early release days, special activities, and the kids helping me pack and clean since my giant self will be quite immobile very soon! I fill my work days with kids crying, kids calling out, and kids pushing each other. However, I also spend my days with kids writing stories, taking surveys, and reading Shiloh, which is the saddest book ever! I do love my job very much, but I am so excited that I am taking next year off to raise my baby. It's such a gift. Until June 19th I will send home letters to parents, lecture about misbehavior in music class, give the evil eye, eat lunch in less than 25 minutes, host an author's celebration (without food or coffee for the parents, how much does that suck!?!?), get homemade end of the year cards and gifts, waddle up and down the stairs, and occassionally put my feet up in between.