The Fat Lady Warms Up

No, at this moment I am not describing myself, although a weekend of camping and blissful indulgence didn't help my pudgy waist. I am talking about the last week as a teacher. It really is over, it is just now an exercise in bureaucracy to give the right paper to the right person at the right time. I never liked the end of year checklist. It is your invitation to fail. Be at the head of the line and have forgotten something. Or to be chastised because you have misplaced some meaningless special education help book (See me, Thursday). The kids are really gone. I will have no semblance of classes, only a few taking finals because of poor attendance or suspension or failure. Friday was the last day for seeing those groups who had become second nature. You learn the quirks and inside jokes and relationships and triumphs. I will miss that. But, dear God, not the rest. Take the paperwork, the "other duties as assigned by the principal", grading papers, cheaters, stupid comments, safety hazards, special education ARDs and all the other educational crap that burns the life out of people who genuinely want to teach, and place it somewhere the sun does not reach.

But, I did receive the most wonderful notes and cards from the special few. I am always surprised at the student that I affected and had NO idea that I had done so much for them. It is always a pleasure to get it in writing, though. Not enough students take the time. My favorite of all time happened this year. A simple note of thanks, expressing the desire to continue with the study of chemistry and attached was a Fisher-Price Doctor Kit. He had left it on my desk before school. It was a good thing, because I certainly teared up. The quintessential moments of teaching distilled into one note and one gift. It is one that I will treasure.

I am also going to pass on my MCAT books to a student who is interested in medicine. Never to soon to become OCD over preparations for that test. I will be cleaning house, playing with the kids and looking forward to a new chapter in life. Ain't it grand?

I also got my stethoscope. A lot heavier than any I have ever handled. There was my name engraved in the bell. Maroon tubing and all. I can't wait to learn how to use it!