Dear Students...
I know I may not always say it, but I do notice these things. You are amazing. Please know that I am so proud of the good you are doing in the world!
Dear Students...Today was one of those days when I noticed how many great things you're doing. I noticed when you took your hood off before I asked you to. I noticed when you wrote an outline (just like we practiced!) before writing out your essay, and I noticed how you pushed through that state writing assessment, even though I know you hate it and it's hard. I noticed that your behavior in your orchestra class - which has really been a struggle - improved, and that your attitude toward me and your classmates and school in general is making leaps and bounds. I noticed that you showed up on time for our TED Talk event, dressed up in a shirt and tie, even though not everyone dressed up, and that you stayed until the very end. I noticed that you gave your TED Talk, even though you were nervous, and you shared something you are extremely passionate about. I noticed that you came to watch your friends perform their TED Talks and that you cheered for all 15 of your classmates. I noticed that you volunteered to help with tech crew, just because you love it and you want to help. I noticed that you went out of your way to thank me for something today. I know I may not always say it, but I do notice these things. You are amazing. Please know that I am so proud of the good you are doing in the world! Love, Miss B.
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Dear Students...This weekend was Valentine's Day. Did you know that, without knowing it, you have become my valentines? I remember one day during my first year of teaching when a college professor asked me what surprised me most about teaching. And the first thing that came to mind was how much I loved my students. I remember that first week of teaching, being so overwhelmed and so tired, but looking around my classroom after you left and thinking, "I LOVE these kids!" And you know what? It happens every year. Sometime during that first month of school I inevitably look around and feel this incredible love for you. Usually it brings tears to my eyes as I realize that, once again, my heart has grown to fit 200 more thirteen-year-olds. And then throughout the year you will do something that reminds me of the reasons I love you. Your smiles. Your high fives and hugs and knuckles and "snails". Your jokes - especially when you don't exactly mean to be funny. Your writing, and those moments when you FINALLY understand. Your excitement for life. When you move on to high school, I will miss you. You may not believe me, but there is something about each one of you that gives you a special place in my heart. So thank you - thanks for being you, thanks for making me smile, thanks for keeping me young. And most of all, thanks for being my valentines this year. Love, Miss B.Dear Students...I am scared of lots of things. And I bet you are, too. Maybe, like me, you're scared of looking silly in front of your friends, so you try not to do things that you're not so good at when you're around them (even if you want to). Maybe you don't want to be "awkward," so you avoid talking to people you don't know - just in case they think you're weird or something. Maybe you're afraid of failing, or being rejected, or being laughed at, or changing. Well, guess what? Everyone is scared! But we have to learn to get past that. Recently I've been trying something new. I was sick of standing on the sidelines and watching while other people did fun stuff just because I was scared. I finally realized that everyone looks silly when they try something new, and nobody really cares! And the truth is that I looked more silly watching than if I had just jumped in and had fun. So I've been dancing at parties, kayaking in the ocean, and even riding roller coasters. I've been trying to be me a little more often - or at least the me I want to be someday. And here's what I've learned: you have to figure out what kind of person you want to be and just be that person. If you want to be the kind of person who isn't afraid to talk to new people, you have to start talking to new people! If you want to be the kind of person who isn't scared of roller coasters, you have to go on a few roller coasters. It's kind of a "fake it 'til you make it" mentality. The other thing I've learned is that those things that scare me don't necessarily go away, but they get easier the more that I do them. So while I may not always take my own advice, I'm going to try and keep doing scary things. It's good for me, because it makes me more of who I want to be. Yes, I'm scared of lots of things. But I'm working on not letting that run my life. And I hope you will, too. Love, Miss B.*"Dear Students" is a new series I'm starting on my blog...every once in a while I will write a letter to my students - just things I want them to know.*
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About MeI'm a daughter, sister, friend, and book lover turned English teacher. This blog is all about the things I'm learning as I go through my many adventures. For more info about me, check out the About Me page. Categories
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