The One With New Beginnings

Yesterday was my last day at HG.

The past week has been hard.  I said good-bye to several students on Friday.  I love all my students.  They become my kids when they enter my classroom.  But there are a few who seem to worm their way a little deeper in my heart.  

I'm not going to lie.  There was some ugly crying going on.  I had two students write me the sweetest letters. They told me I was like a mom to them.  

BIGGEST COMPLIMENT EVER!!

Everything I did yesterday made me think about how it was the last time...

Last time I would pull into the HG parking lot.

Last time I would unlock my classroom door.

Last time I would turn out my classroom lights.

I had to find things to keep me busy all day.  Whenever I would stop and thinking about leaving I would cry.  

I did not want to ugly cry in front of my coworkers.

I have been blessed working at HG more than I could ever put into words.  For the past six years I have worked for the BEST principal and with some of the greatest coworkers.   One of those coworkers became my best friend.  The first real best friend - other than my husband- that I've had in a LONG time.

Saying goodbye to her yesterday was hard.  Very hard.  It was a quick hug and then jump into cars and speed away before the ugly crying started.  

Though I'm feeling completely lost knowing my time at HG is over, I'm also excited about the future.

It's new beginnings.  A new school, new students, new friends.  None of which will replace what I have now.  But new beginnings that will continue to grow me as a teacher and a person.

As part of the celebration of new beginnings, I have a new look here on the blog.  Faith did an excellent job. I absolutely love it.

The One With the Art Project

Since I'm teaching a new content next year I've been spending a lot of time on Pinterest lately looking for ideas.  Who am I kidding?  I dont' need a new content to spend too much time on Pinterest.

Hi.  I'm Mrs. Weaver and I'm addicted to Pinterest.

There I said it.  Funny thing is when I first heard about it, I refused to join.  It sounded pointless to me. HA!  

So anyway, a few weeks ago during one of my pinning frenzies, I found this little piece of art.

I love it!  Each student paints a popsicle stick.  Then they are arranged to make this cool piece of art.  I immediately wanted to do it with my students.  I thought it was perfect way for me to take a piece of HG with me to my knew school.

Yesterday we took a break from all the figurative language talk that we've been doing in English to have an art day.  The students LOVED.  

I was especially excited to see how some of my struggling students really shine in this area.  Some of my favorite sticks are done by those students who struggle with every day classwork.  

They dried pretty quickly.  I left the last class set at school to dry.

Today I arranged them in a frame.

I love it.  It is going to look fabulous in my new classroom.

The One Outside the Classroom

I love my classroom. It's a bright fun place where learning takes place. But sometimes, it is nice to get outside of the classroom. Learning is not limited to the four walls that make up a school.

I just spent six days in California with thirty students.  What a trip!  We learned far more than I ever imagined on our little adventure.

Students were exposed to new cultures, new languages, history, science, art, pop culture, and so much more.

We spent two days in San Francisco where we visited the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, AT&T Park (Giants Stadium), and more.

Then it was time to hop on a bus and head to LA where we visited Hollywood, Beverly Hills, The Getty, the La Bre Tar Pits, and more.

(Jane & Peter Fonda)  

It was a fun-filled six days.  My students experienced many firsts.  I'm so thankful to work for an administration who not only allows but encourages trips like this one.  

We made memories that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.