Graduation was this afternoon. Watching the seniors walk across the stage one by one in their black robes, square hats, and wavering smiles always causes me to reflect over my choice to become a teacher.
I commented to a fellow teacher after the ceremony that hanging out with these seniors makes me want to be friends with them. Real friends -- not teacher-friends. "Does that reflect on my level of immaturity? Why am I looking for friendships in kids ten years my junior instead of people my age?" I asked.
"I think it shows just how right you are for teaching older kids -- I mean, you actually want to hang out with them. For the same reason I do better with the little kids. I never know what to say around high schoolers."
Needless to say, hearing her say that brought me no small sense of relief since I'll be moving up to high school next year. What's special about next year is that I'll be teaching the same students I had my very first year here. As exciting as it is to teach my first batch of 8th graders again, I have to admit feeling apprehensive about moving up to 11th grade. You see, being around 8th graders for three years has caused me to develop an air of silliness. I do wonder if I've become too immature to interact with high school kids as an adult.
This silliness has shown me how much I truly enjoy middle school kids. I never thought I would like the middle grades (granted I have 8th graders). In fact, I specifically said -- years before I entered the education program -- that I would be willing to teach elementary or high school, but I will not teach middle school. Talk about the devil's playground. Oh yes....the Lord has a wonderful sense of humor sending me to Thailand to teach middle school. His plans certainly prospered me and gave me a hope and a future like He promised in Jeremiah 29:11. I have been truly blessed by these last three years in the middle school, and I wouldn't trade them for the world.
All this to say...I'm going to miss the middle school. I'm going to miss the petty behavior issues, the repetitive questions, the gullibility, the unabashed childishness, and most of all their eagerness for all life has to offer without fear of consequences.
I'll try not to be sentimental, but I am treasuring every final moment I have with my middle schoolers before 8th grade graduation in a week and a half. High school graduation got the ball rolling and my mind reflecting; middle school graduation will just solidify the reality of next school year.
These graduating seniors are special to me in so many ways. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know many of them, and an even better thrill becoming friends with them on a personal level. In a way, I am glad I never taught them, and thus had to tackle a teacher-student relationship before developing a friendship. For a few of us, we were able to cut straight to being unassuming friends.
These seniors are ten years younger than me. While I'm obviously not old enough to be their mom (in fact, they seem more like my younger siblings), watching them walk across the stage felt like watching my own children graduate. And in a sense they are mine -- they may be the only ones I'll ever have. And like any good parent, I want so desperately for them to succeed in life. I want that for all the students -- from my impressionable 8th graders, to the graduating seniors. Watching them grow and mature reminds me everyday why I chose to be a teacher and why I love my students so much.
I commented to a fellow teacher after the ceremony that hanging out with these seniors makes me want to be friends with them. Real friends -- not teacher-friends. "Does that reflect on my level of immaturity? Why am I looking for friendships in kids ten years my junior instead of people my age?" I asked.
"I think it shows just how right you are for teaching older kids -- I mean, you actually want to hang out with them. For the same reason I do better with the little kids. I never know what to say around high schoolers."
Needless to say, hearing her say that brought me no small sense of relief since I'll be moving up to high school next year. What's special about next year is that I'll be teaching the same students I had my very first year here. As exciting as it is to teach my first batch of 8th graders again, I have to admit feeling apprehensive about moving up to 11th grade. You see, being around 8th graders for three years has caused me to develop an air of silliness. I do wonder if I've become too immature to interact with high school kids as an adult.
This silliness has shown me how much I truly enjoy middle school kids. I never thought I would like the middle grades (granted I have 8th graders). In fact, I specifically said -- years before I entered the education program -- that I would be willing to teach elementary or high school, but I will not teach middle school. Talk about the devil's playground. Oh yes....the Lord has a wonderful sense of humor sending me to Thailand to teach middle school. His plans certainly prospered me and gave me a hope and a future like He promised in Jeremiah 29:11. I have been truly blessed by these last three years in the middle school, and I wouldn't trade them for the world.
All this to say...I'm going to miss the middle school. I'm going to miss the petty behavior issues, the repetitive questions, the gullibility, the unabashed childishness, and most of all their eagerness for all life has to offer without fear of consequences.
I'll try not to be sentimental, but I am treasuring every final moment I have with my middle schoolers before 8th grade graduation in a week and a half. High school graduation got the ball rolling and my mind reflecting; middle school graduation will just solidify the reality of next school year.
These graduating seniors are special to me in so many ways. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know many of them, and an even better thrill becoming friends with them on a personal level. In a way, I am glad I never taught them, and thus had to tackle a teacher-student relationship before developing a friendship. For a few of us, we were able to cut straight to being unassuming friends.
These seniors are ten years younger than me. While I'm obviously not old enough to be their mom (in fact, they seem more like my younger siblings), watching them walk across the stage felt like watching my own children graduate. And in a sense they are mine -- they may be the only ones I'll ever have. And like any good parent, I want so desperately for them to succeed in life. I want that for all the students -- from my impressionable 8th graders, to the graduating seniors. Watching them grow and mature reminds me everyday why I chose to be a teacher and why I love my students so much.
