Ten Years of Teaching - wow!

It's hard to believe, but I just wrapped up my 10th year of teaching! Where has the time gone?! Every year has been a bit different - the kids, the teachers, the content. Some things get easier, some get more difficult, but at the end of each year I feel so lucky that I truly love my job as much now as I did ten years ago.


For me, the end of a school year is always a time for reflection. Thinking about what went well, what didn't, and why. I always love to hear what students have to say, too. These are some of my favorites- how reflective kids can be! 


"Another thing that I worked on throughout the year is writing good stories. At the beginning of the year I wrote awful stories, but now that Ms. Jenny told me some strategies to make my stories better I also improved by writing more at home."


"In fifth grade this year I learned how to write really good stories. In the past years I wrote simple and boring stories, but with the help of Ms.Jenny and with all her good tricks and strategies I learned to write great stories and I improved a lot (in my point of view)."


"One of the things I have learned this year in fifth grade is: writing good stories. Thanks to all those lessons we have reviewed, now I know how to write good stories."


"I learned many more ways to be nice to people. In fifth grade there are usually many problems with friends, teachers and maybe even family. I have learned how to solve these problems. I have also learned so much about science, math, and LA. Ms.Jenny has a special way of teaching where she makes everything fun and listens to all the suggestions. She also has a very good way of teaching LA."


"What I learned in 5th grade is Fractions, Geometry, Poems, Water Cycle, Heredity and lots more. But what I really learned socially is most important: Treat people the way you want to be treated.I already learned that in 1st grade but in 5th grade I learned the true meaning of it."


Hearing that kids came to see themselves as writers and learned how to treat one another makes me happier than I can say. Although there is so much we hope kids learn in a year, I feel that I've done my job when I read responses like this.


This class was definitely more challenging than my first ASB group of kiddos. However, it's their craziness and energy that I came to love the most! I was exhausted at the end of almost every day, yet exhilarated, too. I feel like I built some strong relationships with these kids and I know I'm actually going to miss them over the next few months - crazy, right?! Luckily, I'll be able to spend my 11th year of teaching with them as well. :)

Such a beautiful message (and rose)!

Each student and I drew a name and had to write a letter to that person (a great idea borrowed from Anne!) . The letter was supposed to be full of memories and positive experiences from the year. We read these aloud on the last day and had to guess who each letter was written to - they were amazing! 
This is the one a student wrote to me - so thoughtful!
It was a great way to end the year.