We only have 30 student days left this year and I’m truthfully a little bummed.
(Bummed because I’m actually enjoying my job and because I’ll miss my students and their families. Only a little bummed because I know that they’ll be back next year and we’ll have plenty more to build on.)
As our students are getting ready for their final showcase presentation, I’m reading Randy Pausch’s, “The Last Lecture” for a bit of inspiration. (Thanks Ms. Heller for the idea.)
While this won’t be the last presentation our students will complete, the timing, the book, and simply communicating with our students in preparation are reminding me of how proud I am of all we’ve accomplished this year.
We introduced their theme for the event, Lessons Learned, and while sitting back and listening to my cohort’s thoughts and suggestions to help one another, followed by their raw excitement to simply get to work, it hit me again just what an impact our way of work has had.
I won’t give away their ideas just yet because they still have to interview for their chance to present and because we want to keep their ideas a bit secret from their parents for this one. However, to give you an idea, in the midst of our discussion, one of them said, “You know, these are lessons that adults learn about life.” ~A.W.
Yes my little ones, we’re here to not only teach you about the academics, but we’re here to teach you about how to be a quality human and how to navigate this thing called life.
Within that discussion, one line from the book stood out to me. It’s the part when Randy is sharing that a colleague saw him driving and even while terminally ill, she noticed that he still appeared to be upbeat. Randy was thrilled because he felt as though she, “…saw me as I am.”
Which is exactly what I believe we have done with our students this year. We’ve had the time to actually “see” our students. To connect with them. To help them see themselves with all of the strengths that they have within them.
What’s happened as a result is that they have had the time and the opportunity to simply become MORE positive versions of themselves.
More positive.
More brave.
More independent.
More intelligent.
More compassionate.
More empathetic.
More confident.
More creative.
The list goes on.
They’ve always been those things. Their parents have instilled the values. But by presenting the 3rd leg of the stool, another environment that supports their positive development makes a significant difference and you’ll see it shine in their presentations.
So while I’m a little saddened to walk away from a stellar year, I’m equally as jazzed to listen to the wisdom that these little ones share, knowing full well that this isn’t the “last” for them, but only the beginning.
If you need a reminder of what it’s all about: