Saturday, April 30, 2016

Another Year {Celebrate this Week 4.30.16}

After teaching 4th grade for eight years, I felt a change coming. When the opportunity to move to 5th grade next year popped up, I took it. A new grade level meant new challenges and opportunities to both learn and teach new things.  Moving to the next grade level meant that I could also bring my class along with me.

I love my class.  There's just something about them.



Several times they have asked me if I would be their 5th grade teacher.  I always joked back that I've had enough of them or that I didn't want to torture myself for another year. They always "got" it.  They know that I care deeply about each and every one of them.  They are "my kids."

On Wednesday, I could finally share the big news. I was expecting the kids to be happy. I was not expecting them to be as elated as they were.

But this was not just about me.

It was about keeping our "family" together.

It was about the relief some of them felt at having consistency in their otherwise chaotic lives.

It was about putting to rest the fears they had about next year, about the anxiety some of them were already feeling about having to mesh with a new teacher with new expectations.

It was a wonderful celebration of how far we've come this past year and where we can go.

10 comments:

  1. Congratulations on the grade level change and another year with your little family. It is magical when a learning community becomes a family. I'm excited for you -- so many possibilities are ahead! Thanks for taking the time to share your celebration!
    Hugs,
    Ruth

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  2. Wow! Congratulations on looping with your group! What a privilege it will be to spend another year with your awesome group.

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  3. Wow! Congratulations on looping with your group! What a privilege it will be to spend another year with your awesome group.

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  4. How wonderful that you'll have the same class next year, Jennifer. I had my students at least two years, and sometimes three. It's a wonderful start to the year already knowing the students & families. Congratulations & best wishes on your move!

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  5. Yay, you! Choosing to take on new challenges to have the chance to stick with a group of students who have become a family. That's magical!

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  6. Congrats on change! It can certainly be challenging, but change gives us more opportunities to keep learning about ourselves!

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  7. HOORAY!!!! This is going to be an amazing experience for your entire class family!!! LUCKY students!!!

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  8. How wonderful - this is something BIG to celebrate and look forward to!

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  9. How wonderful. It's great that your bonds will only strengthen and deepen! Cool!

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  10. Congrats on the new grade and being loved by your students.

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