Goodbye, Waco High!

My last few days at Waco High were certainly bittersweet. I knew I was making the right decision and was excited for a change, but it was really hard to leave my teacher friends and some of the sweetest kids ever.

A group of several kids from my AP classes made me a book of letters and pictures of themselves and gave it to me with a balloon, a stuffed lion (named Leonardo) and a copy of Othello, which we read in class this year. I got flowers from some kids, sweet individual notes from others, and lots of hugs. It just really affirmed me and the relationships I built with them this year. They have a special place in my heart, and it was a wonderful way to end my time in room 215. I will never forget these kids, and the others I have taught and known.

I moved into my new room, 235, at Midway in mid-June and even taught a 3-day summer school session before the summer STAAR test. There were between 50-85 kids and 4 teachers on those days, and it was challenging, but it was great. The kids were so polite, eager to learn, friendly and calm. There were a few troublemaker types, but nothing like what I've seen in the past. I'm glad I got the chance to get my feet wet and get to know some kids I may have in the fall. They were long days of teaching 8-4 with few breaks, but hopefully some of those kids will pass their English STAAR tests and be able to move on! Cara even got to come to see my new classroom, and she just looked so BIG sitting at the desk. Maybe one day she will be in my class--won't that be fun?

Waco High and my students will always be near and dear to me, and I will always support their positive progress. I'm also really looking forward to moving on to something new. Change can be a really good thing!