Wee Ones of the Foothills

It is March 27, 2010. Wow, that is crazy to think about. . .it seems like I just came to college! I can't believe that in 6 weeks from today, I'll be graduating.


This final semester has definitley been the best part of my 4 years at UNC. I am absolutley crazy about my 2nd grade students at Kyffin Elementary! I couldn't have chosen a better career for the kind of person that I am. I'm in my element when I'm with these kids. Not one day goes by that I don't think about them. Sometimes I ask myself, is it okay that I have such strong feelings and love these children as much as I do? Yes, I've decided! I've been told in the past by teachers who have been in the field for a number of years, that you really shouldn't become attached to your students because every year you'll get a new batch, and every year you'll have to say good-bye. I totally and COMPLETELY disagree. Come on, you spend 30 hours a week with these kids. . .how on Earth can you not become attached? I wake up in the morning and no matter how I'm feeling, thinking of their faces keeps me going and I can't wait to get there and be the best teacher that I can be. They don't deserve any less than that from me.

I'm on spring break right now and school doesn't start again until April 6th. Once school starts again, I'll only have 3 more weeks with my kids. . .this is definitley starting to sting at my heart a little bit. I know I'll have other classes in the future that I'll love just as much as this one, but these kids are extra special to me. They are the first real class that I've ever taught and really spent a lot of time with. There are so many things I'm going to miss. . the way they argue with each other, the way they beg me to let them write stories together during writing, moanin' and groanin' when we are about to start math (I can relate, as math isn't my thing either), the hugs they give me at random times of the day, they way they cling to every word that comes out of my mouth. . .I can go on forever, believe me. Oh and I forgot to mention how much I'll miss their special way of boosting my confidence by telling me things on a regular basis like, "you have a really flat forehead" and "you look pregnant when you wear the fuzzy sweater." I'll miss exchanging made-up ballet dance moves with them at the end of the day on Fridays. . .they enjoy watching me make a fool out of myself with my unique dance moves :P If you ever want to see these dance moves for yourself, I expect to see you do something as equally ridiculous and humiliating in return, deal?

You get it. I'm going to miss my wee ones. I always call them "wee ones of the foothills" and they call me "adult of the cereal bowl." Where they came up with that name for me, I haven't a clue! They didn't even know that I liked cereal at the time they came up with this name for me.

Every day with these kids is a good day, even the bad days are pretty darn good. I'm sure this isn't the last blog that I'll write about the wee ones of the foothills, but one thing is for sure. . . I'll need a hug or two come April 30th. It will be my last day as their student teacher )-: Of course, there is no way they can get rid of me that easily! I promised I'd come in once a week during May and be there on their very last day in June. After that, I'll just have to pick up the pieces and move on with my life. . .I'm kidding! I know I have so much to look forward to after graduation both related and not related to teaching, and I know that there are many more kids coming my way, that need my love (-: