This year’s class of graduating seniors at Westview holds a special place in my heart.
On September 24th, 2014, during passing time, many of my 9th grade students in Global Studies saw me break down in the middle of our classroom. I had just received a phone call from my mom...
On September 24th, 2014, during passing time, many of my 9th grade students in Global Studies saw me break down in the middle of our classroom. I had just received a phone call from my mom...
Informing me that my dad had been killed in a car accident on the way to work in Salem. Ashen faced, I asked my teaching partner Alex Lathrop to cover for me and immediately left the school after checking in with administration. I took a week off of work and the first time I...
Came back was for Back to School Night.
I do not remember much of what I told the parents, but my main point was: “More than anything else, our students will remember our love and support, not any grades they received or assignments they stressed about. Let’s make sure we tell
I do not remember much of what I told the parents, but my main point was: “More than anything else, our students will remember our love and support, not any grades they received or assignments they stressed about. Let’s make sure we tell
our students we love them and are here for them.”
When I came back to work the next day, my students (who at that point had only known me for a couple of weeks) greeted me with hugs, cards, flowers, and overall kindness. They listened to me when I talked about what happened...
When I came back to work the next day, my students (who at that point had only known me for a couple of weeks) greeted me with hugs, cards, flowers, and overall kindness. They listened to me when I talked about what happened...
why I felt like I needed to be back teaching, and when I continued to use my dad as an example for my outlook on life. My students reciprocated my desire to share and be heard. They talked with me one on one and as a whole class about challenges they were facing throughout the...
...year. The most effective teachers that I have seen and learned from have been incredible at reaching students through shared vulnerability. Classrooms are surprisingly intimate places, if we allow them to be as a community.
This last week, in the lead up to graduation, I was
This last week, in the lead up to graduation, I was
stunned by the flood of former students coming to see me. Students I had not taught since 9th grade came and gave me hand written notes of appreciation. Multiple gift bags were dropped off at my desk. I signed yearbooks for students I hadn’t seen in years. My students remembered.
I remembered.
At the end of each of the last four years, a group of boys from that 9th grade class has come and found me to take a picture. Our last picture together during their time at Westview was last night, before commencement. Thank you, Eric, Broden, Matt, and Paysen for
At the end of each of the last four years, a group of boys from that 9th grade class has come and found me to take a picture. Our last picture together during their time at Westview was last night, before commencement. Thank you, Eric, Broden, Matt, and Paysen for
Keeping the tradition going. Thank you for your notes and kindness, Jurnee, Maddy, Caitlyn, Takumi, Sarah, Lauren, Autumn, and so many more. Congratulations again, Class of 2018. We are a family and I will always be here for you, just like you were here for me.
Go forth and continue to make the world a better place. You are loved.
