The Best!

I completed 26 years of teaching this year.  In some ways it feels like that can't be true, and in others it feels very true.  This was also one of the best years I have ever had, despite the medical issues we were dealing with as a family.  I felt re-energized after attending a GAFE (Google Apps for Education) Summit in mid April.  I was trying so many new ideas, that in some ways it felt like my first few years teaching.  However, there was this one 7th grade student I had who was the child of a student I had when she was in 3rd grade. That was enough to remind me how "young" I am!I am truly going to miss my outgoing 8th graders (now in high school)!  They are a unique, caring, amazing group of individuals who I wish nothing but the best for.

I enjoyed all of my 8th graders, but the girls hold a special place in my heart.  In my home, I am the only girl, so I enjoy getting to know the girls I teach in a special way.  They notice my new hair cuts, nail colors, and outfits.  They share in ways that boys don't.  Not better, just different, and I enjoyed it so much these last two years.  One young lady brought me to tears with her gift to me.  You need to know the whole story.

Kourtney touched me from the moment I met her.  She has resilience, courage, and perseverance far beyond her age.  She has had more surgeries than a young person should have to go through.  But what I remember most about her is her smile.  I love her smile!  She is a genuinely caring a happy person, but rarely busts out in a big smile.  She wants to make sure she knows you well before she shows you that.  Part way through 7th grade we connected, and then the smiles began.  She is so quiet by nature, but I got to hear her laugh this year, a lot.  Many times at my expense (I don't always perform exactly how expected when at school), but always appropriately so.  I went to see her horseback riding, and she asked me when I was last on a horse (most likely when I was a small child at the pony rides at the zoo).   Kourtney is a beautiful girl, inside and out and when riding, she SHINES.  Her physical difference is no more, she is simply a gorgeous being on a horse.  She knows what she is doing and is confident.  It was so nice to see her in that environment. I also mentioned that when I was young I dreamed of running a unicorn farm until I realized they were imaginary; then I wanted to have a horse farm. Neither dream lasted long.

A couple of weeks after our trip, a "Fairy Garden Unicorn Farm" showed up for me at school.  Kourtney had taken it upon herself to make my childhood dream come true.  It is, hands down, the best tangible teacher gift I have ever received.  I will treasure it and think of her.  And I hope she thinks of me, in the wind behind her, encouraging her to reach every dream she has.