Dear Class…
Dear Class,
This Thursday will be our last class together. I must admit I have tears in my eyes as I am writing this post. Time has gone by so fast… They say time flies when you are having fun. I guess it’s true. This has been an incredible year for us. We have grown and learned so much …
Oh boy, have we changed! We have shared all kinds of moments: happy, sad, fun, magical…
Such incredible memories, such meaningful adventures! We have stepped away from our comfort zones and dived into so many unforgettable experiences. Bringing the world into our classroom has been really powerful and absolutely inspiring, not just for you, but also for me.
Watching each of you put your heart into our blog, projects and everyday work has been priceless. Seeing your eyes glowing with every post you wrote and comment you received on our blog has helped me realize how meaningful learning can be when connected with reality. It’s amazing how hard you are willing to work when tasks are relevant to you. By watching you savor each of our projects I became aware of the kind of learning you want and need. I am definitely not the same educator that stepped into our classroom on March 1st. I have changed and grown too. What I liked the most was that we walked through this together.
All the adventures, great moments and difficult times have helped us create, not just a class, but our class. A friendly and safe environment we all felt happy to be part of. Each of you has given their best, each of you has worked really hard throughout this year. I can’t find the words to describe how proud I am of you.
I’m so thankful for all your smiles and hugs. I’m grateful for all we have shared. Thanks for opening your hearts and letting me be part of your lives, but I’d especially like to thank you for helping me become a better educator. Thank you for making me feel that my job is not a job, but a passion. Thanks to you, I love being a teacher more and more every day. Each of you has made a difference for me. I will never forget you.
Love, Ms. Greta
About a Teacher 
I so appreciate your heart for your students. Thanks for sharing. I feel the same way at the end of each year!
Thanks so much! It’s difficult to say goodbye, but at the same time it’s wonderful to see how much they have achieved!
What an awesome, heartfelt post! It sounds like you had one of those exceptional classes this year- exceptional not only in academic knowledge, but also the way the class dynamics & personalities came together so well. I’ve had years like that, and it’s just amazing!
Of course, you get credit for bringing it all together and giving your students an unforgettable year.
Thanks a lot! It definitely was an exceptional group… So many wonderful kids. It’s been a great year. Thanks again for your comment and kind words.
Leaving wonderful classes behind (or, to put it another way, being left behind as they move on to the next year group!) is always one of the toughest parts of this job. Even though I still see my old students in the corridor or during break times, it’s not the same as being in class with them every day.
I’m sure your students will miss you just as much as you will miss them!
Thank you! I agree with you, it’s definitely one of toughest parts of our. I get to see my old students a lot. In fact, they keep visiting me too. It’s nice to see them grow, although it’s sad to see them move on to the next year class.
I will definitely miss this kids, but I’m also looking forward to meeting my new students in March! Thanks again Dave!
What a lovely post, Greta! It’s clear how much you care for the students and how much you want to see them succeed too. Your students are lucky to have had such a kind, caring, and compassionate teacher. I’m sure that they’ll miss you as much as you miss them too!
Aviva
Aww thanks so much Aviva. It definitely means a lot coming from a wonderful teacher like you. Many things that have happened to me this year have a lot to do with you! You have definitely inspired me to jump into many of these adventures! I’m really thankful for your help and support!
Greta,
You wrote this blog with tears in your eyes and I read it with tears in mine. As you’ve shared through your blogs and our conversations, this has been a wonderful year for you and your students, learning and growing side by side. You’ve made an incredible impact on them this year and more importantly, you’ve given them valuable tools to take with them as they go through their lives. They, in turn, have done the same for you. Don’t be sad, be happy to know what you all have accomplished. Don’t look at this year as an ending but as a beginning for what you will continue to do for the lucky children who work with you throughout your career.
Best,
Gail
Thank you so much Gail! I really appreciate it. Even though it’s hard to say good bye to my students, I can’t wait to meet my new students. I love planning and preparing my new year. It’s a very important part of my teaching and it really helps me love my students before meeting them.
Your help and support have been really important throughout this year. Thanks for always being there.
I have loved being a part the learning that has taken place in your classroom this year. You and your class have inspired me to start on the blogging journey with a group of 5th graders. We did a brief introduction to how we communicate, share our ideas and receive information. Their eyes lit up when I spoke of sharing ideas with people all around the world.
Your post proves that magical things happen when we put ourselves as a learner as well. Sharing and reflecting on your own personal growth with your students sends such a powerful message!
Have a wonderful summer!
Thank you Kathy! I really appreciate it. I’m so glad you are starting a blogging journey too! Please let me know how it goes! I’d love to leave them some comments too!
I agree with what you said, we should never stop learning! We can’t foster lifelong learning in our students, if we don’t have the love for learning ourselves.
Thanks again!
By so many measures, this was a very successful year for you. I’m proud to have gotten to know you over the course of it. Your kids are more than fortunate to have you on their side.
Wow, Matt! Thanks so much! I’m really glad I met you too. You’re such a wonderful educator, I’m really thankful for your help and support!
If I could change one thing in my teaching career, it would be to have a record of all my students, a photo, a farewell message. I’ve got some, from my later days teaching a few years ago (these days I don’t teach classes for long periods). Do you have photos of the class? That would be really nice to look back on in years to come.
Thanks so much for your comment David! I have lots of pictures, videos and audio recordings of my students…
We had a great day today, we Skyped with another classroom in the USA and I was able to get the recording… That recording is one of my biggest treasures now, my kids looked so happy! I’m so glad I was able to do this on our last day… Thanks again!
Greta,
What a beautiful post! You express yourself so wonderfully and I am teary eyed as I think of the impact you have made on these kids. I am so honored that I got to meet them on their last day with you. I love how you share your teaching and learning journey so openly with us. You are a gem, a true gift to the teaching profession.
🙂 Joan
Wow Joan! I’m speechless… Thanks so much, it definitely means a lot coming from you. I really admire you. Sharing our last day of school with you has been one of the most wonderful experiences in my teaching career. You’re a gem, thanks for inspiring me to become a better educator everyday!
Beautiful letter. You will hold a special place in all of their hearts!
Thank you! Those students will hold a special place in my heart too!
I love reading into your heart Greta. My two favorite times of the year are at the very beginning when my heart is filled with so much hope, and at the end when it is filled with so much satisfaction. Thanks for sharing your passion so openly….c
Thank you Cory! I liked what you said about how you feel at the beginning and at the end of the school year. I seriously hope all teachers feel that way! Thanks for your kind words!
Drawn here a 1/2 a year later by Dave’s #ff tribute. This is a great example of teacher luv !
Here here Greta 🙂
Hey Brad! Glad you stopped by! Thanks so much for your words! They mean a lot coming from you! Gracias amigo! 🙂
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While reading this above lines…it really made me cry..its really vry nicely written.I luv my teacher Aditi miss…thanks so much 4 sharing
Thank-you for sharing your feelings with us, I’m reading your post and my tears are falling down…..it’s so touching for me because I am leaving school this summer after teaching 10-15-year-olds for 34 years……I feel so sad and so happy at the same time….. so sad to leave those lovable boys and girls, and so happy and proud having made a difference in their life, as they made a difference in my life too.
Being a teacher was such an amazing and exciting experience in my life!
Thank-you!
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