MIA

>>I know I have been MIA. And i know I didn't even write about the last day of school. Of course it's hard to write about teaching when you're not teaching, but it also is hard for me to come here and THINK about teaching. Reminders about work either make me stress out, or get sad. I miss my students. I worry about them over the summer because I don't get to see them every week to make sure they are eating, or being taken care of. I am not sure they are brushing their teeth, or showering. I can't see that their clothes are clean, and that someone is smiling at them and giving them positive reinforcement everyday. When I see them, I check on these things. I know it's more than a teacher should do, and I know some of those things sound like a child should never have to go through them. But, in my first year of teaching I saw those things. I liked being able to check on them. Help them. Be there for them. So, being here makes me sad. It makes me worry. It also makes me stress about all the things "I said" I would do get ready for next year that I haven't. I have to make goal binders. I have to go through my countless cupboards of crud that's been in my classroom since before I got there and decide what I want and want I will never use. I am going on vacation next week and after that I WILL GET THINGS DONE.

>>The last day of school went very well. I brought my dogs in which the kids LOVED. WE all spent the day together (I didnt make them go to their other classes) we played games, watched movies, signed yearbooks. I forced kids to give me hugs when they left. Graduation was amazing. I was so proud of my kiddos. I was so proud of my student who won the award. His parents were so happy. Crying and thanking me for an amazing year. Wishing I had been there al 3 years with him. I wish too. I wish too.