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