There are two feelings when school is out. Everyone feels them both - joy and sadness. As the end of the year approaches the students voice their opinions of school more loudly and more often. They hate school. They don't want to come to school. They never want to go to school again. I've heard this for several weeks. Of course, my feelings are close to the same. I hate dragging the students to do their work. I hate issuing all the tests that have to be done. And I don't necessarily want to come to school anymore either.
But, on the last day of school, everything changes. The student who told me he hated me yesterday won't stop holding my hand today. The students who hated 2nd grade last week, never want to leave and ask if they can stay in 2nd grade for one more year. And all those kids who didn't want to wake up for school today ask if they can come tomorrow - even though there isn't any school.
As a teacher I worry about all those students through the summer. Will there be someone to give them a hug everyday and tell them how great they are? Is there someone to push them when the going gets tough? Is there someone to pick them up when they fall? Will someone be there to fix them lunch? But, I have to let them go. That's my job. I love them all - even the one that caused migraines. Boy the end is tough.
