Dear Readers, I am a lucky lady -- I get to teach a subject I am passionate about, in a school I love with some of the best students a teacher could ever have. It's June. I am getting sentimental and thinking about all the farewells. I am also thinking about the true meaning of the terms "farewell" and "Godspeed." While old-fashioned terms, they certainly represent better how I feel than "goodbye." The above photo shows me with a student I was very fortunate to get to know well, David Troutman. Mrs Cathy Crowley and David have visited my classroom, Room 203, and a beautiful, meaningful relationship developed between my Period 1 class and our guests.
Yes, I am a very lucky lady. Daily, I reflect on the blessings that flow from teaching . . . and teaching in Reading.
To my freshman, I offer "The best is yet to be.." as Browning wrote. And, to my seniors, I continue to remind, "The best is [still] yet to be..." Congratulations, students! You do us proud!
15 comments:
This is Alexandra Popken from period one. I would just like to comment saying how much I enjoyed the spontaneous visits from Mrs. Crowley David and Adam. It was a nice break from learning and an oppertunity to get to know him. :]
This is Leah Carroll from period 5 and I would just like to say that even though I don't think they ever visited my class, this year was fun, and I'm going to miss this class next year.
It's Mrs. Fitzpatrick.
Thank you for these lovely comments! [Shhhh...the spontaneous visits weren't quite so unexpected! On many-a-day, I purposely "forgot" to turn in my attendance to the Main Office so that David, Adam and Mrs. Crowley HAD to come for a visit! ;-) ]
Phil from period 1-
I think it was great to see David's progress throughout this year. The first weeks of school he was very timid and wouldn't even talk or come into the classroom. But eventually (although it did take some effort on Mrs. Fitzpatrick's part) he would just come right in and have a conversation. To witness that is a great treat.
This is Carter from period 1. I remember one of the first times I met David and Adam. It was at a Peer Pals meeting around September. Then when he started showing up to our class I thought what you did was fantastic. He was so shy all year, but when I saw him go up on stage at class day, he showed none of that.
This is Ben from Period 4
I can distinctly remember the first time I saw these kids at the high school. While I haven't seen them in your class per say, Mrs. Smith does the same thing you do (forget the attendance so she can see them), and I think it's wonderful. I'm glad to got to witness these mature, and brighten up to you as the year went through. You should be very fortunate you got to hold onto these kids while you could, but be even more glad that they'll be moving onto better horizons and press onward into the future. It is things like this that make me appreciate what a wonderful school we have, and how much I'll be missing this year's seniors. (They were awesome.)
This is Julia from period one. I completely agree with all the comments from above. Watching David and Adam build up the confidence to come in and ask us for the attendance this year and even start a conversation was great to witness. I am really glad I got to know them better this year :) I will definitly miss this class next year!
Tina Bell per. 1
Great picture! I remember the first time David came into class and he was so shy. It was so hard for him to be around everyone. At the end of the year though, he was so much more comfortable and walking right into the classroom. I think that's awesome!
I love this class!
Hi this is Andrew from period 1.
I enjoyed seeing David and Mrs. Crowley come into our class. I could tell David was very shy and I enjoyed watching him mature and grow throughout the course of the school year. It was interesting to see him at first be afraid to even enter the classroom, but then enter the classroom and carry out a conversation with Mrs. Fitzpatrick.
Hey this is Nate from Period 1.
When at first David came into class, I didnt really understand what was going on. I understood that he had some sort of disability, and that you were trying to encourage him to come out of his shell, and be less shy. I thought "Why is she doing that? Its not going to do anything, why would it?" Slowly as the year progressed, he started walking into class and making hand gestures that he wanted the attendance, and eventually he came in and vocalized his thoughts. The day in class when you almost were brought to tears (sorry for bringing it up) really made me smile. Not because I thought it was funny, but because it really hit me how emotionally involved you are with not only your own students, but ALL the students at RMHS. Its great to know that some members of the faculty, such as yourself, care so much.
Hey this is Nate from Period 1.
When at first David came into class, I didnt really understand what was going on. I understood that he had some sort of disability, and that you were trying to encourage him to come out of his shell, and be less shy. I thought "Why is she doing that? Its not going to do anything, why would it?" Slowly as the year progressed, he started walking into class and making hand gestures that he wanted the attendance, and eventually he came in and vocalized his thoughts. The day in class when you almost were brought to tears (sorry for bringing it up) really made me smile. Not because I thought it was funny, but because it really hit me how emotionally involved you are with not only your own students, but ALL the students at RMHS. Its great to know that some members of the faculty, such as yourself, care so much.
this is brian from period 5, i thought graduation was great . I was there watching my brother and i gtto see a lot of his friends after with graduation parties and that was very fun.
This is curtis from period 5. T remember last year and the year before when my siblings graduated. At first there was graduation oarties and relitive vist but then came the thing i unknowingly regreted collegde. I have known my siblings all my live and couldnt think ablout not seeing then for months at a time. At first it was hard but after a year I no longer missed them.
This is Mrs. Fitzpatrick.
It makes me so proud to read your comments b/c it gives me further insight into the decency of my students. Also, what a wonderful thing that period 1 got to become friends with David, Adam and Mrs. Crowley. That's what life is about as you get older -- making those meaningful connections and relationships. Always get to know people and give them a chance. You never know what beauty -- and fun-- will result.
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