June 5, 2011

Well, we've finally made it through the school year. The end was very bittersweet. I am glad that we finally have summer break, but I tell you what, I will miss these kids. I know they'll miss each other as well. We had an emotional last day. Unfortunately, our class is splitting up more than any other. We only have a little more than half our class returning to SAA. It's sad, yes, but it also gives us room for growth. We can expand, meet new friends. Don't forget your old ones though.

There's an old saying goes something like this:

Some people come into our lives and quickly leave. Others stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts so we will never be the same.

Though you may not see your friends on a daily basis anymore, you never have to forget them. Keep that in mind as you move on.

I'm going to post a few videos from the talent shows, to leave us all on a good note. One, the students got to see performed, the other was performed at the junior high talent show, so they did not. Parents, you may have not seen either of them. Here they are, for the enjoyment of all.

I became a teacher to make a difference in the lives of children. Though this is only my second year, I feel as if I am doing that, and I want to end by thanking you parents for helping me know this. They always say teachers don't get paid enough, and though I'd never turn down more money, I get paid plenty in the notes I received from you and the students letting me know that I've done what I set out to do. These kids are the reasons I teach!

Thank you for a fantastic year, and students, you'd better keep in touch!

I Am Part of a Lost Generation

We had a guest speaker named Kyle Johnson come to our school and give a motivational talk about summer safety and making your own life. He shared this poem with the students that I thought was too good not to pass on. I realize it starts out negative, but trust me:

I Am Part of a Lost Generation
by Johnathan Reed

I am part of a lost generation
And I refuse to believe that
I can change the world
I realize this may be a shock but
Happiness comes from within
Is a lie
Money will make me happy
So in 30 years I will tell my children
They are not the most important things in my life
My employer will know that
I have my priorities straight because
Work
Is more important than
Family
I tell you this
Once upon a time
Families stayed together
But this will not be true in my era
This is a quick fix society
Experts tell me
30 years from now I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce
I do not concede that
I will live in a country of my own making
In the future
Environmental destruction will be the norm
No longer can it be said that
My peers and I care about this Earth
It will be evident that
My generation is apathetic and lethargic
It is foolish to presume that
There is hope

And this will all be true unless we reverse it

There is hope
It is foolish to presume that
My generation is apathetic and lethargic
It will be evident that
My peers and I care about this Earth
No longer can it be said that
Environmental destruction is the norm
In the future
I will live in a c ountry of my own making
I do not concede that
30 years from now I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce
Experts tell me
This is a quick fix society
But this will not be in true in my era
Families stayed together
Once upon a time
I tell you this
Family
Is more important than
Work
I have my priorities straight because
My employer will know that
They are not the most important thing in my life
So in 30 years I will tell my children
Money will make me happy,
Is a lie
Happiness comes from within,
I realize this may be a shock but
I can change the world
And I refuse to believe that
I am part of a lost generation