Hi all,
I am currently in the process of finishing up my last few weeks of teaching. We are in exam stress mode and you can feel the heat. I am finally finding time to reflect back on my first year. As you can see from the title, I want to mention a few things I wish I could tell my students.
The Drama Doesn't Matter
It will all be okay. I promise. I didn't believe it when my mother said it either. Trust me, miraculously, it will be okay that you and what's-his-face did not work out. It will not matter that some girl called you a name. You will probably be best friends again tomorrow. By the same token, your teachers are not here to get involved in your drama. We've been there, done that, got the yearbook. I can promise that if you put half the worry into Math that you put into what you're wearing the movies, you will see results. Enjoy these years, they are so much fun. You will look back and tell your children about all of the shenanigans you performed in high school. So, calm down, don't freak out, and try to have a blast.
Take a Chance
You cannot tell me that you will not succeed if you have not tried. Do you think that Thomas Edison created the light bulb in one try?! No. He didn't. Anything worth having takes some hard work. Do not assume that you cannot do Math. Obviously, you can. You have grown so much this year. You are straight up killin' it. Do not go into your math class next year and assume that you will not be able to keep up with your classmates. Take a chance, apply some effort, and you will be amazed where you can go. Take some chances in the outside world too. Go be a lifeguard (as long as you know how to swim. If you don't know how to swim, please consider a different opportunity). Work hard this summer and come back with so many life skills it's crazy. Have some fun this summer too. Go out on the lake (life jacket if you can't swim) and make new friends. You can never have too many friends.
I Worked Hard for You
Regardless of popular belief, I want you to succeed. You are all such amazing young people. You will conquer the world and a half. These standardized tests that are judging your growth as a student are crap. If I could shred them all, I would. I taught you what I thought I was supposed to teach you. If it was not on the test, then I am sorry. I have been at school every morning at 6:30 and I don't leave until 4 or 4:30 every afternoon. I have stood and graded your papers at a kitchen counter with friends over. I have been online at 3 in the morning looking up innovative ways to teach limits. I want you to learn to love math. I have had so much fun teaching you. Any time I can jump on desks and lay on the floor to discuss angles of elevation/depression, it is a good day. I want you to understand Math. That is what I am here for. Hopefully I succeeded.
Thank You
This has been the best year of my life -- professionally and personally. I have grown so much as a teacher. Don't worry, I know that I have much to improve on. In those first few months, I was not sure that I would survive. I called my mother crying about how teaching was not the right career path for me. I emailed my old professor and asked him about coming back to Graduate school. Now, look where we are. I call my mother excited about your two point growth on our NCFEs. I tell my boyfriend about my 1000th marriage proposal. You make me laugh, cry, whine, scream, and lose my mind every day. I appreciate you sticking with me through the times that I was not so good at classroom management and gave you the silent treatment. I am grateful when you point out that I made a mistake on a math problem (although it probably doesn't seem like it). I am so grateful to call you my students.
Obviously, this year was a whirlwind. I cannot believe we are at the end of it. I am finishing my first year of teaching and looking forward to many more. Thank you to all who have stuck with me throughout this year. I could not have survived without you.
Cheers,
Faith
