Bittersweet Moment

I have four days left. Only four days left with 18 of the cutest and most amazing little second graders in the world. Without question they have touched my life more than I could have ever imagined. As I sit and reflect upon my student teaching experience it amazes me how quickly the time has gone by and how I only wish I could spend the remainder of the school year with "my" class. I made a decision to venture down the "teaching" trail when others told me (and I finally realized) that I have the patience, passion, determination and satisfaction in touching the lives of kids. I do want to be an educator that does make that difference in a child's life, but in doing so I have never really thought about how much they would make a difference in my own life. I've enjoyed the laughs, the challenges, the many misspelled words, their creativity, their carefree spirtis, their desire to always "impress" their teacher, their eagerness to try and learn new things, their sutbborness, their messes, their sticky fingers, their muddy shoes after every recess, their chattyness, their storytelling, their humming and singing, the constant questioning, their shout outs (at the wrong times), but most of all their love for their teacher--me. As I part with them this Friday, it will be a bittersweet feeling, knowing that it will be difficult not only for me, but also for them, and that I will be stepping into a new stage of my life. I'm so thankful for the student teaching experience that I have had and I look forward to what lies ahead. I wish only the best for my 18 kids as they will always hold a special place in my heart.