Allison Behne
Almost every year on the last day of school I shed, at a minimum, a tear or two. For years I tried to convince myself that this would be the year it wouldn’t happen, and now I am just resigned to the fact that saying goodbye to my students tugs at my heartstrings and makes me emotional.
Inevitably, a few students notice and ask, “Mrs. Behne, why are you crying?”
“These are tears of happiness,” I say. “I have had a fun year with you, and I care about you so much. It makes me so happy, it causes tears.” Often, they giggle at the idea. Many of them just give me a big hug.
I tell my students that what I’m feeling is happiness, and that’s true, but it’s also much more. I am teary because I am flooded by an overwhelming mix of emotions: Sadness because I have grown to love the unique qualities of each and every student I have worked with and I don’t want our time together to end. Pride when I think of all the accomplishments we celebrated throughout the year. Concern for the children who thrive on the consistency and comfort of the school day routine because their home life is challenging. Excitement for the students who plan to travel and spend time with family over the summer. Urgency to grow my practice through professional development during the summer. Happiness caused by the smiling faces and fun end-of-the-year reflections and activities. And overwhelming love for the amazing children whose lives I was blessed to be a part of for nine months.
A few weeks ago, I heard a song by Jason Mraz that summarized and put an upbeat tune to the feelings I experience at the end of the school year. In the song, he talks about the life ahead, the love ahead, and wanting the hearers to have it all.
His music video features middle school students from Richmond, Virginia (his hometown), and the song truly embodies what we want for our students . . . We want them to have it all. As our students walk out our classroom doors on the last day and move past the year they spent with us, we believe in them, see their potential, and want them to have it all.
News from The Daily CAFE
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Five Levels of Support For Building Stamina*
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Daily 5 . . .
Listen to Reading Websites
Send this list home with students so they can listen to great books all summer long.
CAFE Connections . . .
Lit Lesson: Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann*
This is the story about a serious police officer and his enthusiastic, full-of-antics dog, Gloria. our students.
Focus on Health . . .
Finding Your Comfort Zone
Carol encourages us to gain healthy balance by finding our comfort zone.