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Saying Goodbye

Thank you to Stacey, Betsy, Dana, Tara, Beth, & Anna for this amazing platform to write and share writing! What a wonderful community you've created! I'm honored to be part of it. Join us at Two Writing Teachers. 



Today is the last day of sixth grade. My students will leave this classroom and they will magically turn into seventh graders. I am sad. We have to say goodbye. Goodbye to our time together. It turns out...I'm not good at saying goodbye. Emotions overwhelm me and I pull back...I want to be strong for them.

Today I want to BE in the moment as much as possible. I want to talk with my students and remember our good times together. I want to pay attention to the final moments of our community. We created strong communities this year and we took care of each other. 

They are ready. Summer is waiting. Seventh grade is waiting. They have written and read and created and communicated and grown every single day. I'm proud of each of my students. I am a better teacher because of each and every one of their smiling faces! 


Next year this classroom will be filled with new faces, eager to become better readers and writers. I can't wait!

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  1. Terje June 16, 2015 at 6:46 AM

    Ending. Beginning. I like that you stay in the moment, in the now. I hope your day had more joy than sadness.

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  2. Kimberley MoranJune 16, 2015 at 6:47 AM

    At the end of each year, I am reminded that every day counts. That our time with kids can be squandered by worksheets and thoughtless teaching of scripted programs, or by painstaking planning and individualizing. It is difficult to be a good teacher, but the rewards are endless. Enjoy watching those 7th graders walk out the door armed with all you have given them.

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  3. Vanessa WorrellJune 16, 2015 at 7:31 AM

    Michelle, your post makes me wish that I had been in our class when I was in the 6th grade. Lovely

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  4. Jennifer LaffinJune 16, 2015 at 7:33 AM

    You have taken each of your students so far this year. They will never forget you! Sending you sweet thoughts today. Enjoy!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. CarolJune 16, 2015 at 8:22 AM

    We said goodbye to our eighth graders about ten days ago! They were so ready for summer, so ready to move on to high school. And I was so sad to see them go. I hate saying goodbye!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Linda BJune 16, 2015 at 8:46 AM

    I hope you're having a wonderful time right now, Michelle! Happiest of goodbyes to you with your sixth graders!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Stacey ShubitzJune 16, 2015 at 10:13 AM

    You're literally on the cusp of summer vacation. Enjoy your final minutes with your sixth graders. I'm sure they'll come back to visit you lots next year. :)

    See you next week! Can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJune 16, 2015 at 10:28 AM

    You are a wonderful teacher! I'm sure those "7th graders" will miss you! Have a great summer. Don't forget to FLY! Jennifer Sniadecki

    ReplyDelete
  9. TaraJune 16, 2015 at 6:03 PM

    The last day is always hard - especially when you have taught your heart out all year. Enjoy summer, Michelle!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lee Ann SpillaneJune 16, 2015 at 7:12 PM

    Happy, happy last day of school! "Summer is IN and school is OUT!" as Kelly Weist said. I hope that you enjoyed making memories today.

    ReplyDelete
  11. drferreriblogspot.comJune 16, 2015 at 8:41 PM

    This is such a wonderful post as it talks about how MANY of us really feel - sort of happy, sad, melancholy, excited, tired, excited....all rolled into one. I am SURE most of our kids feel exactly the same way. I'll be there in 2 weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  12. JulieanneJune 17, 2015 at 1:27 AM

    They are ready because of your work together! Enjoy that. And enjoy tomorrow and Highlights! Can't wait to find out how that goes.

    ReplyDelete
  13. LoraleeJune 17, 2015 at 5:42 AM

    Kids must LOVE being in your class!

    ReplyDelete

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