Last Day at St. Cecilia

Today was my last day at St. Cecilia. I promised myself this morning that I wasn't going to get all emotional, but they got me. I didn't start crying until I drove away from the school, but I felt on the edge all day. During 7th grade math, which was also the homeroom that I was in, they completed a quiz, took a few notes and then surprised me with a party. All of the sudden in walked room mothers bringing cookies and drinks and carrying presents. The presents kept coming and coming- I couldn't believe my eyes! I felt like a little kid at Christmas! My cooperating teacher, Mrs. Davis, explained that she had asked the students to bring in supplies that I could use to set up my first classroom. The bags, and the beautiful basket, were brimming with pens, pencils, post-it notes, paper clips, stickers, notebooks and notebook paper, you name it, it was there! Here is the picture of all of goodies they gave me!

I had to take 3 trips out to the car to carry all of it! The kindness of these students and parents touched me to the core- and I realized again why we do this. Teaching isn't a profession that offers a lot of money, and there are days that you are completely exhausted, but at the end of the day it's all about the students! And at a school like St. Cecilia where all of the parents are so supportive it's even better! I will forever remember these students and I will often wonder what they are doing with their lives. Who knows, maybe one day some of them may become teachers too! I would love to see that happen!

I also recieved a few gifts from Mrs. Davis, one of which is a new teacher survival kit. The poem that explained what everything inside was for goes like this:

Crayon- to color your world. Peanuts- to remind you to get a little nutty now and then. Band-Aid- to remind you to heal hurt feelings. Marbles-to replace the ones you may loose from time to time. Bath Salts-to take you away. Cup-for when yours is overflowing. Rubberband-to remind you to be flexible. Matches-for those days when you feel you need to light a fire under your students. Wiggle Eyes- for when you wish you really did have eyes in the back of your head. Animal Cookies-for when your classroom seems like a zoo. Penny-to remind you that you are priceless. Eraser-to remind you that everyone makes mistakes. That's okay, we learn by our errors. Pencil and notepad-to remind you to list your blessings every day. Angel-to remind you that you are the guardian angel for your students. Sweet & Sour candy- to remind you to appreciate your students' differences. Snowflake-when all else fails, PRAY FOR A SNOW DAY!

It was so cute, and I laughed as I read it. I plan on making a few of these for some of my friends for graduation- we could all use one! Another gift that made me chuckle was a bag of Hershey's Cacoa Reserves. They crossed out the Cacoa with a sticker that said Emergency so the bag read Emergency Reserves! So cleaver and funny! Every teacher needs their emergency stash of chocolate!

I recieved so many kind and thoughtful gifts and words and I will remember everyone with fondness. I learned a lot over these 8 weeks, and while it wasn't always easy I have learned that teaching is one of the most rewarding things that I will ever do! I know that I finally have found where I want to be when I grow up!!!! So thank you to all of the students, parents and faculty and staff at St. Cecilia! You made my time there so memorable and I pray that God will bless you and your school for many years to come! I will be back- I promise!