Teaching Part 1

Well, it has been a wonderful two months! Today was my last day in my third grade class at Draper. It was sad, but also a celebration of what we've experienced together. There are some kids in that class that I hope to never forget--even stay in contact with. I hope my kids turn out like quite a few of them. There was one little boy in particular who really touched me.

This little boy is so cute. He is always smiling and laughing, but that is often overlooked because he is also often off task. My cooperating teacher and I decided to give him a behavior chart. The next day, he couldn't stop smiling as he told us that he completed everything. It was so fun to be able to tell him that he got to mark off one more completed task.

The last week or so, he's been home sick with the swine flu. The class called him along with the other sick kids to wish him well. His mother called back and told us how much that had really made his day.

I wrote each of the kids a note as a goodbye. His note read as follows:

I am so sad that you were so sick these last couple of weeks. I missed you in class! Every time you start talking, a grin lights up your face and brings a smile to mine. You are very funny too and can always make your classmates and I laugh.
I’ve seen a lot of your work that just came in from when you were sick and it is fantastic! You have been doing a great job of completing all your work and doing it well. I am so proud of you! Keep being a rockstar!

Love,
Ms. Denton

When I came back from a meeting, my teacher asked if I had talked to him about the note yet. He had told her that it made him almost cry because he was so happy. When he came back in from recess, he came up to me and said "thank you for the letter" and hugged me for a good 15 seconds. I think he was about to cry again--I know I was!

I hope this boy gets to partake of every opportunity that comes his way and more. It's amazing how much an 8-year-old can affect you!