So today has come and passed. I bought five dozen donuts today for my two classes. For the past 3 days, I've spent $85 & bought 12.5 dozen donuts for my students. For a few classes, the students had to write first and final drafts for their final test over 2 hours, so I had to bribe them a little by offering donuts after they finished their first draft. I know it took them quite a bit of patience and focus in order to write for 2 hours straight. For the other classes, we had presentations and brought food.
This afternoon, after sixth period final, a few students came by to visit and Robby helped me clean up the last of my belongings. I posted up the juniors' Harlem Renaissance posters and the sophomores' To Kill a Mockingbird projects, hoping that the next teacher will leave them up there at the beginning of the next semester. I took pictures of my empty classroom, and as Robby waited outside, I stood for a few minutes with the lights out and spun around once before leaving. I wanted to soak it all in - soak the memories, soak in all the kids who walked through the door. I felt good...a little sad, but good.
I feel very fortunate to have had my own classroom. I did not have to share my space with any other teacher, and I had complete ownership over MY space. It was like a quiet little haven for me (quiet when the kids were gone), and though there are dirty little crevices between bookshelves and in corners, spaces into which I have never ventured, it was MY space, my windows, my sanctuary.
Now, I am onto other things. I don't know what lies ahead of me. I will definitely stay in education, but I need a break from classroom teaching. Robby thinks I will go back to teaching in the future. I hope so. It is both thankless and rewarding. For some classes, thankless from August to May and rewarding from May to June. Even when one class out of five is like that, it takes a toll on my mind. As much as I tell myself to focus on the wonderful students, I always examine where or who I fail. Oh, what a tumultuous career!
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hi Ms.Loh! Its ema. Ms. sugimoto didn't keep our harlem renaissance posters or your vocab system, at least for fourth period. I am now in fourth period and it is not as good as second. The whole class fits on one side of the room!!!! Kiana, Angela, and I looked at each other and said we had to go to second period. I had the chance to but unfortunately another girl took it away from me. We all miss you so much!!! Please come and visit fourth period 4.
Ema
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