The final assembly, graduation, and our "Farewell Party & Auction" are over. In four days I get on a Continental flight to Houston. In those 4 days I have to inventory the lab materials (which means taking 30 minutes to update last year's inventory) and get some signatures on the check-out sheet. You would think I would have a lot of time for blogging, but the purpose of this blog has run its course. I'm no longer a teacher and feel pretty good about my current decision to never take this job again. If you have enjoyed reading this and would like me to continue with "FirstYearRetireeBlog", leave me a comment to that effect.
On the day of the last assembly I received a present from a 6th grade student. It was a nice painting in a huge frame. I popped the painting out of the frame, packed it, and put the frame in the auction. Better than the picture was the student's note, though. I think I will have it framed: "Dr.C, Science has never been so fun and interesting and that was because of your teaching." It was from the student who puked when I sang "Chicken Lips" to the class. (See Nov. 23,2010 entry)
If you've followed the blog you might be aware of my enjoyment of the 6th and 8th grade classes and my difficulty developing a like for the 7th grade classes.While they were taking their final exam, I counted the problems and half problems in the class. The total was 8 out of 30. Individually most of the class is very pleasant to be around, but when they are together, there is a peer group mentality that causes them to avoid or be bashful about exerting effort or attempting to learn something. After the graduation I was very touched when a few wanted a hug or a picture taken with me or tears would begin to well up when our eyes met. As we left the graduation venue and I walked past a group of 7th graders, one said, "Please stay next year," and then they were all asking. I stopped and told them they would be with me in my thoughts. I considered for a nanosecond giving a lecture on how their peer dynamic made them the kind of class that would not make me want to stay and teach, but they aren't the reason I am leaving. Like so much that happens at this time of year their kindness added some sweetness to the sadness of leaving.
I'm now moving into my retirement acitivites: being a rugby journalist and planning to build a house.
Farewell.
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