The school year has just ended. I am exhausted and very happy. It’s the little things that make the big difference, and here are three wonderful things that happened at the end of school:
Lissy’s self -portrait
Children draw a self portrait in September and in June. This is included in their portfolio for parents – a collection of art, writing, photos, stories, and more, detailed over each month of school. Just look at the huge difference in September and June, including name writing. This made my day/month/year.
Adam and ‘the wedding’
Early in the school year I said to Adam, “When I grow up, will you marry me?” He was thrilled and said a big “YES!” As the year went on, we occasionally talked about getting married, but first I had to grow up. Adam told his mom, and once in a while his mom and I would smile about ‘the wedding’.
Low and behold, the year-end thank you card from his mom ended with ‘P.S. See you at the wedding’. How wonderful! This is why I teach and why I love children.
Gloria and Daisy
Gloria is home with me for a while. Honestly, Hubby is as thrilled as I am. We find ourselves stopping to say ‘hi’ and having a chat with Gloria when we walk by the couch. She is taking care of Daisy, a very popular elephant in the new book, Small Things Mended, by Casey Robinson. I highly recommend the book. Children love it, and Daisy is as popular as the book.
Life is good.
May I always connect with children.
May I always read aloud the best books.
May I always have room in my heart for more.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
We have 5.5 weeks to go!
Enjoy your break, Jennie, and be sure you made a huge impact upon those children 🙌🏼
Thank you, Ritu! 💕
Another wonderful year, Jennie. I love the difference in the two self portraits. That’s amazing.
I love that, too. What a difference. Thank you, Dan.
What a wonderful end to another fantastic year. I love the note and the before and after picture. I also love your poem but I would add, May I never grow up!
Thank you. Darlene. Yes, I needed to add “May i never grow up.” ❤️
Wonderful thoughts on your school year, Jennie. I can ‘hear’ the fatigue in your voice but the sincere satisfaction of another successful year. The adrenaline tank is nearly empty, now, but I’m betting it’ll be full and all batteries recharged come September🙏
You know me well, Steve. You’re right on all counts. I’m so glad you enjoyed this.
I hope you have a great summer, Jennie. You ‘built’ a great foundation for the kids, future leaders.
My daughter gave me a great book for Fathers Day, ‘When The Sea Came Alive’, an oral history of D-Day. Just started it. Excellent! But now it’s off to bed. Goodnight!
Your words are much appreciated, Steve. Thank you. Ooo…that book sounds wonderful. Lucky you.🙂
Amen to that, Jen!
Thank you, Alice. 😍
Life is indeed good. And I have no doubt that your three wishes will come true.
Nice post, Jennie.
Thank you, Don.
yes, to every single word of this and I so agree! I feel I will always be connected to children in some way, even though not teaching. how that plays out is yet to be seen )
I knew you would feel that way, Beth. Thanks!
As your new road opens, I agree that children will be there in some way. Have you thought about reading aloud at the public library?
yes, all possibilities on the table at this point -)
😀
You’re the best, Jennie!
Awww… that’s so nice. Thank you.
My pleasure
Three wonderful things! Love your dedication to your students. Enjoy your summer, Jennie!
Thank you, Wynne!
Loved the progress on the draw a person. Facial features!
It is remarkable how children’s skills develop over the year, including name writing. I love doing this project, and parents are thrilled.
We used that test in Head Start many years ago.
You always cement the idea that the best things in life are the small things. Noting the marked development of a child, a shared joke with happy parents, and Gloria and her elephant to make you smile every day. You make life good for so many others, it is only right that your life should be equally as good.
Best wishes, Pete.
Pete! My goodness, you said a ‘lifeful’ here. You know me well. Many thanks, my friend.
You’ve improved and enriched the lives of another batch of future adult citizens, Jennie. It’s so important to give kids a good and happy start to their school years. These kids and their parents will always remember you for doing that for them. Now, have a well-deserved rest and enjoy your summer.
That’s so nice of you to say. Thank you, Anneli! Best to you, and enjoy your summer.
Thanks, Jennie.
You’re welcome!
It’s always so exciting to see that learning has occurred!! Whether inside or outside the classrom, it never gets old.
Never does! 😀
Hi Jennie, congratulations on another wonderful year!
Thank you, Charles!
I love all three notes about the end of the year, but my favorite is asking your student to marry you when you grow up. If a teacher can’t have fun with their students, then they’re probably in the wrong business. These are the kinds of things they remember.
In a couple of months, Debbie and I will be attending a wedding of two of my old third grade students who I moved together to cut down on the visiting in the room. 🤣 They love to tease me, which I find hilarious, about being the one who brought them together. (I already know that will be a future blog post after they marry.)
Yes, yes, yes! That is my absolute favorite, too. And, these are the things children remember. How exciting that you have a student’s wedding coming up. Love the teasing, and I definitely look forward to a blog post after the wedding. Pete, we are lucky.
Your Three wonderful things are indeed wonderful. Thanks for sharing, Jennie
Thank you, John!
That is very cute. The improvement in Lissy’s self portrait is quite interesting. Teachers are doing amazing things for our children and for all of us. Thank you so much and enjoy your summer.
A self-portrait really shows a young child’s growth and development. Cheers to all the teachers who do amazing things for children. Thank you!
Well done on another fab year Jennie, have a good rest now!
Thank you, FR. I am smiling and ready for some R&R.
Lissy’s self-portrait speaks volumes!
Yes!
Congrats on finishing up another wonderful school year, Jennie. What wonderful three things: Progress, connection (even if you don’t get married to Adam), and a summer off with Gloria, Daisy, and books. I love it that you and your husband talk to her when you walk by the couch. ❤ ❤
I am nodding and smiling, ’cause you’re spot on. Thank you, Diana. I’m so glad you like and understand that we talk to Gloria as we pas by the couch. Sometimes we reach down and give her a pat.😀
🙂 🙂
I hope you have a lovely, restful break, Jennie! You’ve certainly earned it and what a lovely improvement from Lizzy.
Thank you, Sarah. And yes, Lissy’s improvement is remarkable. Best to you.
Beautiful and wonderful post Jennie. Children are so innocent and lovely.
Thank you, Kamal! You are so right about children.
A heart-warming post, Jennie.
Thank. you, Libby.
This sounds like a wonderful ending to a great school year.
Yes, it was. Thank you, Robbie.
Jennie, nice to see Gloria has Daisy to hang out with over the summer. Congrats on another great year!
Thank you, Bruce. I have to take Gloria to the ‘spa’ but I’m dragging my feet. Having her and Daisy here is really nice.
You are always welcome dear Jennie 🙏🙏
😍
🤗😊💖
A bit huge bouquet of thanks to YOU, Jennie for helping raise thoughtful, caring, good children who will grow up to be thoughtful, caring, good (educated!) adults. If I was a student in your classroom, I’d want to marry you too!
And thanks for the book recommendation. I’m almost finished with my third children’s book (PETEY WANTS WINGS, pub date this fall) and I’d love to send it (and a copy of the first two in the series, BIRDS OF PARADISE and MOLLY FINDS HER PURR) to you to share with your classroom (if you think they’re appropriate, of course). Happy Summer!
Thanks so much for your wonderful words, Pam. My class next year will be very young, some older 2’s and many young 3’s. If your books are for this age group, that would be wonderful. Let me know. Happy Summer!
My books’ description says they’re for 2–92 years of age 😍
Hooray!
One request. Please remind me when the school year starts and send me your address via e-mail: pam.coletta@comcast.net .
Will do!
The end of the school year was always bittersweet. Enjoy your summer, I know you will gather lots of wonderful experiences and things to share with your students next September.
Will do, Carla. Many thanks!