Graduation!

It’s not just parents who cry on graduation day, it’s teachers! I ought to know. I’m a virtual bawl-baby. Last Thursday was graduation day for the high school where I teach. This wasn’t an ordinary graduation. (Are they ever? Hmm, not sure about that.) I teach at a fairly new charter school. Five years ago, our school first opened its doors to sixth graders, seventh graders, and a group of eclectic, energetic 8th graders.

I taught the 8th graders English and Lit. The next year, I went up with them and taught 9th grade English and Lit. The following two years, I had a good number of them in my Dramatic Lit classes. Then again this year, I had all of them in 12th grade English and LIt.

I have loved and taught those same students for five years. Last Thurday, they were our very first full graduating class.

So. . . tears? Yes, and plenty of them.  I watched them walk proudly up to receive their diplomas, but I couldn’t help but think about next year.

It’s going to be more than strange to walk the halls without them. It’s going to be odd to not see them every day, to not know what’s going on in their lives, to not be the one they turn to with problems, questions, and triumphs.

Put simply: I’m going to miss them. My lovely, wonderful students.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for a good run.

How about you? Do you have a graduate this year? Or are you a graduate? I’d love to hear from you!  Ahhh, so bittersweet.

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Brenda

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Tagged: Brenda Maxfield, charter school, crying, graduation, high school, school, students