Fleeting Phases

As my school year ended today, the word, fleeting, came to mind. Every year things end and they change. Kids advance to the next grade, colleagues move, principals come and go, and it becomes apparent how fading a year can truly be. There are people that you spend everyday with, eat lunch with, laugh with, and share your life with and then bam, it’s over. Sure, some people will be there next year and you’ll see some of your old students in August, but it’s not the same. You can never get that feeling back again.

I know it sounds strange, and maybe it’s a unique feeling to teachers, but it happens every year. You can’t recreate the rapport you had that year again. It’s impermanent and passing and short-lived and vanishing. Maybe that is why it’s such a sweet thing.

Every year of teaching, I have worked with wonderful students and teachers. And I have felt that small drop in my stomach each year, around the beginning of May, when I realize it’s all going to end soon.

I was sure lucky this year to have worked with some beautiful students and teachers. I am so thankful for that family, even though it can’t last forever.

Subway Sweating

An unfortunate incident occurred this past week. I got on the train at 42nd in my normal afternoon commute and almost croaked. The train was crowded but it was 5 pm, so like any good subway rider, I scooted to the middle. To my right, a kid was eating a hamburger. (Fyi-you're not supposed to eat on the train) So, I pivoted to avoid that smell but in return I ran into a very large person that hadn't showered in a while. I was trapped. I thought I might be able to side step the smell, but no, I was stuck. I began to hold my breath but then I couldn't do that for 30 blocks, so I had to keep quietly gasping for oxygen, which in turn caused the chinese gentleman next to me to keep turning around with looks of concern. It was a looong 30 blocks, to where I quickly hopped off and jumped onto another car!

Beware summer tourists, it's super hot on the subway platforms. Large and small, you've got to shower and invest in a mini fan! I have a pink one and use it with pride, those stranger's looks are just looks of jealousy. I am sure of it!

Happy sweating!

The beach!

SMORES!

Nature's Classroom

A couple weeks ago, I boarded a bus full of teary-eyed first graders, and headed off to Long Island for the week! Is it crazy to snatch six year olds away from their parents for a week to frolic in the wilderness? Probably! But my co teacher, Elodie, and I were determined to get these kiddos out to discover nature. Being Manahattanites, they aren't exposed to much nature besides rats and pigeons. So, we coerced all of them to sign up and headed out for a week of learning and experience in the great outdoors!

Our camp was on the North Shore of Long Island next to the beach. The program has camp counselors that do all the classes, so the teachers just chaperon and hang out with the kiddos between activities. It was great! My friends and I took walks on the beach and enjoyed watching the kids in a new environment. I felt like I was on a mini vacation! The kids loved getting dirty, making rockets, doing shark dissections, searching in the woods for bambi, and experiencing Smores! They learned so much! We had a dance party the last night and all the girls dressed up. It was so cute.

It was a great week and made me thankful for all of my camp experiences growing up at Girl Scout camp and Ceta Canyon Methodist Church Camp! You can't ever replace that special time!

correct 7th grade dancing with Michael! full arm extension please!

box turtle-so cute!