Last Day Love

It's the last day of school.  At our teacher luncheon, I got my plaque from winning the student nominated teacher award.  It'll be proudly displayed in the my classroom.  The best gift I got today was handwritten letters from four of my best students expressing their gratitude to me.  I started this job ONE DAY after finalizing my divorce.  To say I was in turmoil is an understatement.  Truly, this job helped me through.  I'm in tears at my desk realizing the impact it has made on my life.  I have tears of love and, to be honest, of sheer exhaustion, as I look back since the first day of new teacher training on August 10th. 

I don't know that I could properly express it all.  Instead, I am going to share a letter from Talia, a 7th grader, who I adore.  The letter was a handmade card.  It came with a handmade name badge necklace that is gorgeous and a silly paper of pictures of her cat, "Big Larry."  Big Larry has made many an appearance in French class, including as the main character of her children's book project. 

Typed up exactly as Talia wrote it (in bright blue ink with neon green for the PS).  You have to hear this in your head as a sweet girl with a twisted fun sense of humor--

Dear Madame,

I have a absolutely LOVED being in your class this year!  On the 1st day of school, I knew you would be my favorite teacher all year.  Then that day, probably 2 or 3 weeks into school, I had the steno emergency.  I could tell by the way you just laughed and gave me the stapler that we had the same personality.  They always say save the best for last, I guess that's why I have French 8th period....THE BEST CLASS OF THE DAY!!  Your teaching styles are so great and understable.  Everyone enjoys French (if they don't, they should!)  You always have fun stories to share whether it is about Maggie, Katie, or even the rare story about Military Man!  My favorite stories you tell are still the inspiring ones.  Every time one of those comes up it makes me feel like I really can grow up to be what I want to be and make a difference in the world, like you.  Maybe one day I'll be that ex-student coming back to one of your classes, telling them about my very own adventures in France.  I have enjoyed learning a new language, and thanks to your great teaching, my grade has not gone below 98 all year!  Only the very best teachers can relate and make a connection with their students, which you do.  Once I get to the high school, I think I'd like to continue French, but those teachers have my high expectations of your great teaching to live up to.  I can't wait until next year to make more memories in French.  No doubt they'll be great!

Je t'aime!
Talia

PS--I enjoyed meeting your daughters at the talent show.  You've raised 2 delightful young ladies and I hope to meet them again when they're older.  Maybe by then Katie will have grown into her skin/chunk (as cute as she is, she can't go through life sitting on people she has an issue with!)  I'm sure they will both grow up to make you very proud.  Best wishes to you and the rest of the gang with the move this summer and have fun in Paris!!