Another Goodbye

Saying goodbye is never easy.  As the Facebook friend requests continue to pour in from my fellow eighth grade students, I can't believe my time with them has come to an end.  I feel sad.  I feel blessed.  I feel grateful. I feel like my job is a gift at times.

Before the school year ended, I had a discussion with another teacher about being "friends" with the students. Apparently, some teachers see my positivity as a negative. (Rest assured, I'm not friends with any of my students and I will not allow them to become part of my social networking world.)  I care for my students, crack occasional jokes, provide advice, and try to guide them in a positive direction.  I guess that's a bad thing to some because unfortunately some teachers see it as only a job. They don't care if they leave a mark. Sometimes they can be quick to disregard the students and they tend to classify them as a group, rather than as individuals. They allow their students to enter and leave the classroom like an unknown crowd using a revolving door and they most likely never think of them again.

I'm different. I try to get to know each and everyone of them.  I'm with these students for nine months out of the year for two consecutive years. And then just like that- poof, it's over!  They are gone.  Entering a world without your guidance.  And all I can do is hope for the best.  Hope they won't forget what I taught them.  Hope they won't forget my advice and make the right decisions.  I have two years to change them and when they walk on that stage it's a happy time for the both of us.  They are ecstatic  because they officially graduated and are off to high school!  As for me, I'm happy because I know I gave it my all.

When I read their goodbye letters, I couldn't help but tear up at times.  This is MY moment of reflection and this is when I feel extremely blessed knowing teachers really can make a difference.  Below are some of their words written to me:

The way you helped me for high school and prepared me for it is a really loving and caring thing you did for me.  But the question I keep on asking myself is why me. ~Ramon

You changed my personality a lot.  I used to feel alone and that my work isn't worth anything.  That if I wouldn't have been alive, everything would be the same or even better, but you taught me to believe in myself and to think that I have a meaning in life. ~Fabian

When my parents didn't believe in me, you did. ~Selenne

Sometimes it just takes one person to change another.  ~Rogelio

Sometimes I just came to school for this class.  ~Zadkiel

Your words made me grow up.  You're more than a teacher.  I look up to you.  ~Yesenia

If my rap career doesn't work out, I want to be an LA teacher like you. ~Omar

To be honest there was nothing I didn't like about this class. Every morning waking up, I looked forward to this class. Out of all the teachers, I will miss you the most.  You have a great personality but are strict when needed.  There won't be a teacher as cool as you and if there is, I won't be as close with that teacher.  ~Luis

You changed my life by helping me write better and express my feelings.  I always thought I would be made fun of.  You are the only teacher who understands where I come from and talks about our futures. ~Edgar

You made me want to be as cool as you.  You are different from other teachers.  You snap on us, joke with us, and give us life lessons and tips.  You also eat a lot for a small person.  ~Stephanie

Your son will grow up to be someone amazing because you are. ~Georgina

I think you were the only teacher who helped students with their problems. ~Santos

You light up student's faces.  I wasn't nice to people before but now I am.  And it's all because of you.~America

Our talk has helped me out a lot.  You made me realize people do care and want me to do okay with my life.  I never talked to any teacher like that.  You are my hero. ~Tania

Nobody in my life has ever treated me with respect and believed in me. ~Vrian

I wish I could show you how grateful I am that you came into my life.  You made things so much easier. ~Yerania

I never encountered a person who believed in me. You loved us like your own. Thanks for reviving my self confidence. ~Angie

You made me realize not everything in life will be handed to you.  You have to work hard. ~Leslie

Take care of Jake and lay of the hot wings.  Eat healthy. Jake is lucky to have a tremendous role model in his life. ~Eve Molly

You taught me to be myself, not a follower. ~Floribel

You taught us not only about Language Arts, but life.  It takes a lot for a person to do such a thing. ~Monserat

You changed my point of view of school.  It could be okay if I have a teacher like you. ~Eddie

Just coming to school and seeing how positive you are made me forget about my problems. ~Josafat

Being an adult is boring when you make it boring.  Life is what you make of it.  You taught us this. ~Shantez

I wouldn't change one thing about your class. ~Emilio

Some of my entries I read I can't believe I wrote something like that. ~Cassandra

Your heart is made of gold and anyone who tells you different is jealous of you. ~Samantha

Thanks for being a goofball and brightening our day. ~Juanita

You changed all of our attitudes and that is not an easy task. You conquered all of this by yourself which is a huge milestone. ~Joshua


*** These letters made me look at saying goodbye from a completely different angle.  Saying goodbye doesn't always have to be a sad moment.  Consider it an experience that you learned from.  ~Mrs. K.