Why I Teach...

The last day of school in May was a bit emotional for me.  It was the end of my third year teaching, and it was the end of our school's third year of existence.  Thus, my 6th grade babies were graduating and moving on to high school.

I think that no matter the school or the students, a teacher's first class will always be special to him or her, and I am no exception.  I loved those classes.  They challenged me, they taught me, they laughed with me (and at me), and I delighted in them.  I still delight in them.  Nothing makes my day more than when a former student comes down to my room to say hello or to have a chat.  Or when I get a "thinking-of-you" e-mail, out of the blue.  I just love my job so much, and it humbles me whenever a thoughtful student takes time out of his or her day to re-connect with me, even if just for a short time.

At the very end of the school day, one of my favorite students came down for a visit.  We talked for a while, and even this student, who is normally quite vocal, was at a loss for words.  As the final bell dismissed students to go home for the summer, I was handed a note and was instructed not to read it until after its author was far out of my sight.  I obliged.

Normally, I wouldn't post something like this, but I'm going to for two reasons:

1.  I'm so incredibly proud of this young student, not only for how well she articulated her thoughts, but also for how well she has processed her journey.

2.  I know that the tough days I spent with this young student will happen time and time again with other students.  I want this sweet letter to be a constant reminder to me of just how worthwhile it is to never, ever, give up on a child.

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Ms. Diehl.

Over the past three years you have been influential in my life, and for that I want to thank you.  You have taught me more in such a short amount of time than others have my whole life.  You've taught me that I have a voice and it deserves to be heard, but the only way anyone is going to listen is by controlling myself.  You taught me to push myself and to thrive through adversity.  You remind me that I've made progress, no matter how bad of a day I'm having.

I want to thank you for going above and beyond what you needed to in order to make your students succeed.  When I think of a great teacher, I think of someone who not only sufficiently teaches you what is required, but also how to be a good human being and who teaches you to fight for the things that you love.

Therefore, you are the best teacher I've ever had.  When I entered your classroom for he first time, I was only a child, so over the years you have watched me grow literally and metaphorically from a child into an adult, and this change would have never occurred if I hadn't had people like you in my life.

Thank You,
(student)

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This letter left me speechless and in tears on that day, and will probably leave me speechless and in tears every time I read it.  What a blessing it is to be a teacher!

The Thankful Post

I love the season of Thanksgiving.

I love reading blog posts and facebook statuses and tweets listing all the many things my real friends, cyber friends, and acquaintences are thankful for.  It is a welcome change from reading the ever-present statuses and posts about all that is going wrong with boyfriends, reality television, families, school, work, and politics.  I, personally, am a fan of keeping negativity and personal problems out of social networking spaces.

Earlier this week, one of my dearest friends and co-workers informed me that it had been nearly three months since I last wrote a blog post.  The past three months have been incredibly busy and have been filled with the things I love most.

Church
I have become increasingly more active in my church, and I have formed some amazing friendships with the people there.


Back in August, I took the Confirmation kids on a retreat.  We enjoyed team-building activities, getting to know each other, and growing in faith...

The week of Halloween, my Crossroads group hosted a car for Trunk or Treat.  These people have become such great friends of mine!

Our youth group, which I sponsor, meets every other week.  Most recently, we went bowling.

I am so thankful to have such an amazing church family, and I feel blessed to learn and serve with such wonderful people.


Friends
I've had many opportunities to celebrate with friends recently.  There have been:


Weddings:

Halloween:

Olivia had the most adorable way of telling us all that she and Trevor are expecting!

The 11.11.11 Party:

Birthdays:

And just plain hanging out:

Family
I can't even express how much my family means to me.  I am one of the lucky ones, you see.  My family has always been loving, supportive, positive... together.  As a teacher, I am often made aware of less-than-ideal family situations, and there are moments each and every day when I think of my family and how fortunate I have been.

Though I don't get to see them as much as I would like, our most recent get-together was in celebration of my brother's last college football game of his senior season.  They had a lovely ceremony before the game.  My parents were escorted onto the field by a cheerleader as my brother ran through a lineup of his teammates.

Prior to the game, my mom expressed to me that she doesn't know what they will do with their Saturdays now.  Football has been such a major part of their weekends for the past nine years of my brother's schooling, and now, it's just... done.  I'm sure they'll find a new hobby soon enough.

I am so proud of my brother for sticking with college and sticking with football even when it was hard or boring.  This boy kept a positive attitude and a brave face every day.  Even when his football coaches changed his position and changed it back again.  Even when he had a concussion which took him out of playing for a few weeks.  Even when his coaches were shady.  In all of the circumstances where I would not have been able to keep my mouth shut, he held his tongue.  He's a much better person than I am.

Despite his countdown to the finish and excitement as he went through his last practice and his last game, this face says a lot:

I think he'll miss it.


My goodness, I have much to be thankful for.