This is always an amazing time for any teacher! It is the end of the college quarter and the end of the school year! Everyone is exhausted...physically, emotionally, and intellectually! Yet there is a great sense of accomplishment! Students are graduating and moving on with their dreams. I have been a teacher for 39 years, thirty one at the community college. I have loved every minute of it!
So, since it is Thursday, here are Thirteen Things I Love About The End Of the Quarter!
1) I love reading the final projects that my students submit!
While it takes hours and hours to write all the comments (I have a reputation for writing lots of remarks on what they submit) I want my students to know that I deeply value the time and effort they put into what they do. My comments reflect several things- I read what you wrote and I value what you did!
2) I love seeing the growth my students make!
It is SO rewarding to have students come and say, as one did yesterday, "my whole family is being changed since I took conflict management!"This student has made substantial positive growth this quarter! He has moved from "I'm always right!" (a 9/1 style) to trying the art of compromising!!
3) I love seeing how courageous my students are!
Many of my students have overcome so many HUGE obstacles to be in school. Many are single parents with little support! Others have had life traumas that could be the script for a made-for-TV movie! My students are brave! They are so courageous! They are role models for others about real courage!
4) I love what I teach!
Teaching communication skills is life giving to me! I genuinely feel like taking these classes and practicing these skills can change your life in ways you can't imagine. I love teaching, and I love what I teach!
5) I love what I learn from my students!!
I am not only a teacher in my classes, I am also a learner! As my students share their lives, I learn so much from them!
6) I love that we have fun in my classroom!!
Every day my students are greeted by music and snacks! I want them to want to be in my class! I want them to look forward to being in there. I love it when they say, as one student did this week, "this class makes my day! Learning is so fun in here!"
7) I love the diversity my students represent!
My students are young and old, a rainbow of colors, men and women, abled and disabled, rich and poor, healthy and ill, single, dating, partnered, divorced and married...the full-range of God's humanity!
8) I love that teaching for me is more than a career...it's a calling!
What I know for sure is this...God made me to be a teacher! It is in my soul!!!
9) I love that I love my students (and they know it)!
I cry when they leave! I keep contact with them during their lives! I go to their weddings and I go to their funerals!
10) I love that I hold my students to high standards!
I have high expectations for my students! I believe that they are capable and smart! If I have to remind them of that and "hunt them down" to get them to do what they are capable of...no problem!
11) I love that I am going to two graduations!
I have lots of law enforcement students!! I love having them in class! Since my son Erik is a police officer, I know a bit about what they are getting into in this career! The two law enforcement teachers are not able to be at their graduation tonight! The graduating law enforcement students asked if I would come to their graduation and be there for them and shake their hands as they leave the stage. It's my honor!
12) I love that the grading is almost over!
I was here most of the weekend and until 8:30 pm last night! I need sleep and rest and while I will miss my students, I am ready for a break with grading!! My grades will go in next week!!
13) I love that I'll be back in the fall doing this all over again!
Many teachers my age, who have taught for as long as I have, are retiring. I'm not ready to yet! When I don't love this job passionately..then it will be time to go. I'm not ready to go yet!
So...thanks to all my students...past and present! Thank you for the honor of being YOUR teacher! God Bless! Love, Linda
So, since it is Thursday, here are Thirteen Things I Love About The End Of the Quarter!
1) I love reading the final projects that my students submit!
While it takes hours and hours to write all the comments (I have a reputation for writing lots of remarks on what they submit) I want my students to know that I deeply value the time and effort they put into what they do. My comments reflect several things- I read what you wrote and I value what you did!
2) I love seeing the growth my students make!
It is SO rewarding to have students come and say, as one did yesterday, "my whole family is being changed since I took conflict management!"This student has made substantial positive growth this quarter! He has moved from "I'm always right!" (a 9/1 style) to trying the art of compromising!!
3) I love seeing how courageous my students are!
Many of my students have overcome so many HUGE obstacles to be in school. Many are single parents with little support! Others have had life traumas that could be the script for a made-for-TV movie! My students are brave! They are so courageous! They are role models for others about real courage!
4) I love what I teach!
Teaching communication skills is life giving to me! I genuinely feel like taking these classes and practicing these skills can change your life in ways you can't imagine. I love teaching, and I love what I teach!
5) I love what I learn from my students!!
I am not only a teacher in my classes, I am also a learner! As my students share their lives, I learn so much from them!
6) I love that we have fun in my classroom!!
Every day my students are greeted by music and snacks! I want them to want to be in my class! I want them to look forward to being in there. I love it when they say, as one student did this week, "this class makes my day! Learning is so fun in here!"
7) I love the diversity my students represent!
My students are young and old, a rainbow of colors, men and women, abled and disabled, rich and poor, healthy and ill, single, dating, partnered, divorced and married...the full-range of God's humanity!
8) I love that teaching for me is more than a career...it's a calling!
What I know for sure is this...God made me to be a teacher! It is in my soul!!!
9) I love that I love my students (and they know it)!
I cry when they leave! I keep contact with them during their lives! I go to their weddings and I go to their funerals!
10) I love that I hold my students to high standards!
I have high expectations for my students! I believe that they are capable and smart! If I have to remind them of that and "hunt them down" to get them to do what they are capable of...no problem!
11) I love that I am going to two graduations!
I have lots of law enforcement students!! I love having them in class! Since my son Erik is a police officer, I know a bit about what they are getting into in this career! The two law enforcement teachers are not able to be at their graduation tonight! The graduating law enforcement students asked if I would come to their graduation and be there for them and shake their hands as they leave the stage. It's my honor!
12) I love that the grading is almost over!
I was here most of the weekend and until 8:30 pm last night! I need sleep and rest and while I will miss my students, I am ready for a break with grading!! My grades will go in next week!!
13) I love that I'll be back in the fall doing this all over again!
Many teachers my age, who have taught for as long as I have, are retiring. I'm not ready to yet! When I don't love this job passionately..then it will be time to go. I'm not ready to go yet!
So...thanks to all my students...past and present! Thank you for the honor of being YOUR teacher! God Bless! Love, Linda
4 comments:
You are an inspiration! I love running into former/current students who go on and on about the difference you made in their lives. I'm proud of your efforts to positively impact those around you. Keep it up!
They are certainly blessed to have you as a teacher and mentor.
You are an amazing teacher - I know first hand as I had the honor of being one of your students. I know that you work so hard to give them meaningful projects as well as feedback... that's a really special gift to them. I am glad for you though, that you're going to be getting a bit of a break.
I love you! Hooray to another great year... you've earned this summer!
You are an amazing teacher, and how greatful I am to have had first hand experinece! I miss seeing you in the halls so much Linda! I left you an e-mail on your scc account!There is much to be celebrated! Can't wait to see you again!
Love you/ Bethany
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