Friday, December 11, 2009

Sad Day

Today was my last day of student teaching. I honestly didn't think it would be that hard to walk away from it, but I'm actually really kind of depressed about the whole thing. I have come to love my kids so much, and they have helped me learn alot of things that I will take with me as I continue teaching. The kids were all pretty sad to say goodbye today, they kept telling me that I had to go back and visit them alot next semester. I'll definitely try to make it down there a few times to check up on them and make sure they aren't giving Mr. Olsen a bad time! Haha, I sent around a notebook and told them that if they wanted to write me a note they could. . . here are some of the classic remarks I got

"We need to ball it up cause I would own you in basketball. Haha"

"Mrs. Gibbons, you're a Gangster!" I don't know what that is supposed to mean, but I found it hilarious!

"You are a balla! Thanks for helpin me with math!"

"Thnx for teaching math so I understand"

"Boo BYU sucks!!!" haha

"I am the guardian of the sacred words, NI, PING and NEWEN" LOL I have no idea what this is but it's funny!

"Hey guess what....................................... YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (ha sorry to make it long)"

"I can't believe you are leaving me, I think I might shed a tear for you! I know how much your going to miss me so its okay if you don't express it vocally if you don't want to. . . but if your heart desires it you can." haha stated by one of my favorite kids

"I freaking love you, you are so awesome. I am so going to miss you. Come back and visit some time (I will make you a cake) you rock!"

"Thanks a ton for the wonderful teaching you provided for us. I love your personality in teaching us."

"Why are you so cruel?!?! WHy are you leaving us?!?!?" Haha, this class kept telling me that I hated them because I was leaving them

"Thanks so much for being a great teacher. You don't know how frustrated math was for me, but I feel a ton better and now that my grades in math have changed a ton, my parents are happy too! I hope I see you again. Continue with what you're doing"

"Some people are like slinkys, not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs :) Don't worry Mrs. Gibbons, your not one of those people!" Ha

"Mrs. Gibbons guess what? I am better than you at basketball!"

"Mrs. Gibbons, I know you loved me and that you will never forget that!"

"I LOVE the way you teach! It's made math a lot easier for me this year. I'm very sorry for sometimes disrupting your class!" Said by another one of my favorite kids

This last one is written by a girl who was in my toughest class. When I first started teaching I seriously thought this girl was out to hate me. She was really tough in class and wouldn't shut her mouth for more then 2 minutes at a time. She was super disruptive and straight up belligerent with me at times. I remember driving home one day after school and thinking how much I disliked this particular student, and that I didn't care if she hated me. I feel bad now for having thought those things about her. I kept working hard to try and make her feel comfortable in class and to help her in any way I could even though I knew she didn't care. Eventually things turned around and she actually started paying attention in class and her behavior improved a ton. I had had a few conversations with her mom about her behavior in class, so when she started getting better I called her mom and told her how much I appreciated her daughter. Her mom told me that was the first time she'd ever had a good phone call about her daughter. Sad to say I wasn't surprised, but I was grateful that I had made the call. After that this girl was never a problem in my class and we actually became pretty tight. This is what she wrote to me

"Thank you so much for teaching us! I really appreciate it! I'm sorry I wasn't very nice sometimes and I was loud, but that's just what kids do! :) You really are a really great teacher. You're going to be a good teacher when you find a school! I'll always remember you cuz I have NEVER had such good grades in math in my whole life and YOU helped that happen! You are a great teacher! Love your favorite student"

And that's why I love my job

4 comments:

Kristin said...

I'm sure you are a great teacher. That brings back memories for me! It only gets better from now on too. (If you plan to teach next year.) Someone told me that if you figure out the 'positive phone call home' thing you will be an expert teacher. Good job Stac!

Josh and Kensey said...

Oh that sounds so fun! I love all the comments! What grade were you helping with?

sasha said...

awe. this is bitter sweet.

i bet you were a wonderful teacher though!

wish i had a teacher like you back in the day.

Anonymous said...

That is really cool Stacie. I'll bet it's hard to say goodbye. On a much smaller scale, when we move I am going to miss the 9 year-olds I teach in primary. They really are such great kids, and it makes such a difference after you get to know them well.

And thanks for the phone call the other day. We were excited to sell our home! I need to call you back. I've been a really bad sister/friend/neighbor lately! I've been so distracted lately with selling our home! Sorry!