One of the hardest parts about teaching is telling the students goodbye. At the end of the year you expect it to happen. But on a random Wednesday when you are out at recess after a morning of testing, it hits you like a ton of bricks.
Every teacher has that one student that is there when you need them. That student for me withdrew today because of a family emergency. She was the one that always offered to help me with things. She wanted to file and grade papers, she wanted to wipe desks, clean my table, organize the books, run errands for me....everything. She had made so much progress this year and it broke my heart to see her leave.
Moments like today made me stop and realize that these students are just simple kids. They are use to their schedule everyday. The classroom is their second home, their second family. And when one student unexpectedly leaves they are numb. When I made the announcement to my kids at the end of the day they were silent. No one said anything for a solid two minutes (which is a long time for 8 and 9 year olds).
Once the hustle and bustle of dismissal slowed down the realization that today was her last day hit my sweet girl and she broke down. Friends.... this broke my heart into a million pieces (she actually asked me to message her mom on Class Dojo because she didn't believe me).
After I walked her to her bus and gave her one last hug and pep talk I had to walk away. Teachers have tough jobs. Not only do we have to teach the kids the curriculum, but we have to love them, even on the hard days.
Teachers: Tomorrow hug your kids.
