From the mouth of babes often comes wisdom, as it did most certainly from my 12th graders this week. I asked them all to write a Valedictorian speech, if for no other reason than to let them ponder about their own valuable life lessons as well as their hopes and dreams. They did just that, and of course wowed me with their sageness. The following words are a collage of many speeches given by many students, all who made me cry and smile and be so very grateful to be gifted by their words. Cheers to the Class of 2024!
Tag Archives: Teaching
Back to School
Today my classroom is filled with teens and words and art and posters and wood and windows open to the ever-changing sky. This place is one that I have spent close to 200 days a year for 3 decades and has evolved some but mostly stayed very much the same. It pulls me back every August and from within this space one can watch all four seasons come into view and famish into the next. There is often laughter and silliness and curiosity and challenges too. We sit in a circle but that changes too. In this English class there are 20 of us forming thoughts and plotting out ideas and becoming a learning community. It feels a bit daunting at the start of any school year, and today is no different. But time, like water, will soften those anxieties and bring us across the rough spots. My room has wood floors and magnificently tall windows. Along the other three walls hangs student art, much of it reflecting a novel’s theme or character, done in a variety of mediums from collage to watercolor to paint, all adding life and color to the century old walls. The blackboards are covered over but I use the space to share various ideas I want students to consider. This year there is now a wall caddy for cell phones, much to the dismay of many who wish not to surrender theirs, but doing so does help keep a semblance of focus. A classroom is a living breathing place which is always worth a look around. I appreciate mine.
How to Measure a School Year
A school year is measured by quarters, semesters, days rolled into months, just all the typical ways we calculate time. But a better measurement might be the ways in which you celebrate together, with bonfires and field trips and goofy spirit days and community meetings and yes, stimulating classes, institutionalizing camaraderie, learning and joy every day. Let’s consider those moments to gauge time well spent, because this past year, I would say, we nailed it! As with any endeavor with a diverse population in these ever demanding times, there are always challenges, but in reflection, the caring culture of my high school is one I’m quite proud to be part of.
Nine Cent Girl 