Locking the Door

I went into school yesterday to clean out my room of my things. I left mostly furniture behind. . . with my name on it with hopes of getting it when i return in a year. As i was locking my door, mine and tj's arms full of odds and ends of things to take to the car for the last time, i cried. I am going to miss the people next year, my friends. I am going to miss the smiling anxious students on the first day of school. Leaving reminds my of just how much i truly love what i do. When i was packing things up, i thought of the students. . . not the ridiculously intense curriculum, or the pressure from the top, or the incompetent "boss". I thought of the kids and of teaching. I packed away so many silly and fun things that helped me teach somewhat boring content. I packed up countless organizers, caddies, and tubs. . . a true reflection of how i run my classroom- ORGANIZED. The things that i often dreaded i will probably miss in a weird sort of way. I always complained of library day because i didn't get planning, but i will greatly miss hanging out with the Grini the librarian and eating chocolate that she always had in her bottom drawer. I always dreaded our third grade meetings on Monday, but i will miss goofing around with the other third grade teachers. I won't miss staff meetings- no good ever comes from them. I will in a weird sort of way miss recess. I dreaded having recess duty, but it allowed me to see my students in a different environment- unstructured and free.

Don't get me wrong. I am looking forward to next year and i am so grateful for the opportunity to stay home with the cutest baby ever.

I couldn't have packed up my room without TJ and definitely not without gail, who stayed home with jaely so we could actually get things done. Thank you gail. Thank you TJ.