Another chapter complete

August 2008
































May 2009











This week marked the end of another chapter in my life as well as another chapter in Kaleb's life.
I completed my 9th year of teaching and my first and last year of teaching 2nd grade. Kaleb completed pre-K. It was bumpy week with lots to do.
I had to pack up my classroom and move all my stuff I have accumulated in the last 9 years out of my small butler (portable) building into a huge classroom with extra storage room. I am in paradise again. Not only do I get to be back in the school building I also get to teach 5th grade AGAIN! Glory be and the SAINTS be PRAISED! I am overjoyed.
I also had to complete records for the end of the year. I was very proud of the fact that 3 sets of parents came to me and said THANKS for all you did for my child. I cried with one mom when she said she didn't quite know what I did for her son, but she said he has grown up more. She was very pleased and begged me to travel to 3rd grade and to keep following him until he was out of our school. I had a parent write a wonderful letter to our principal telling how much she was grateful for having me be her son's teacher and helping to get the help he needed for reading. These things make me feel good, but it's my job. That is what I am supposed to do as a teacher..help my students as best as I can.
Yes, I had cried many tears during this school year because my class was overwhelming, but I now know why I was put there. I honestly think I was there to handle some of these kids and to help them see that education can be fun. I asked my little second graders what did they enjoy the most about 2nd grade and their responses were not about recess and making friends. They enjoyed playing a math game called "squat" and doing learning contracts which was basically centers with fun activities and they go tot choose which they could do. THEY LOVED LEARNING!
I am glad I had that impact on these kids. I am so ready for next year. I have started mapping out my lessons and just can't wait to work alongside my 5th grade peeps again.
Today was bittersweet for me. I lost yet another dear person to me. No she didn't pass on, but she decided it was her time to put her teaching career to rest. I am honored that she confided in me about her choice. Asking me for prayer and guidance made me feel special. She was old enough to be my mom, but she is a dear friend. One of the few people in my teaching career I could count on to give me a shoulder lean, laugh, and cry on. I tend to gravitate to the wiser teachers. Once my first wiser teacher left me to lay her teaching career to rest, I was pulled to Mrs. Brenda. I shared my life stories with her. She was my rock when I was weak and tired at work. She pulled me through. She was joy to work with. My Priscilla has joined the ranks of many men and women who have given their lives to help young folk... and believe me this lady gave to these young folk. I am proud of her. She held strong 'til the end and I am glad she was sent her sign to put her at peace. (Stupid Math) Priscilla if you are reading this (because I know it is a challenge to figure out technology) thank you for being there for me! It was a pleasure to work alongside you during the toughest times. I am honored to have been the person you shared many things with. I miss you dearly, but heck I know where I can get my drink on!
Ok enough about me let me share my baby boy's milestones he reached this week. On Monday Kaleb completed his 1st year of school. On Tuesday we attended his Pre-K graduation. We laughed! We smiled! And I cried. I had many emotions going around my head. My baby boy is growing up! When his pre-K class sang Angels among us .. I cried. All I could think about was all his "angels" who are amongst him. And at that point my grandma made her presence known. I felt it. She was there and she was smiling ear to ear with me. She was hugging me and telling me he was going to do well. He definitely had one angel with him that day. I am so proud of my boy. He was disappointed to not have been chosen to be Crusader of the month, but I promised we would work on how to get that honor this summer.
He is a very determined little guy. His daddy took him bowling as a gift from us and when I got home from work he asked me to take his training wheels off his bike and help him learn to ride a two wheel bike. On the same day my baby became an offical Kindergartener he learned to ride a "big boy" bike. Man, these milestones are killing me. I just hope he slows down for a while.
This blog is horribly long and my eyes are puffy because of all the tears I just shedded. I am leaving some pictures to show KAleb's growth from the beginning of the school year to his graduation. Hope everyone enjoys there summer.