Final Days of 04-05

It is June 8th and one of the final days of school. Lots of great things have happened this year and lots of sad things. Maxine, my mentor, has lung cancer and will not be here anymore. Monica is leaving and so is Kim. It seems like all the people that I have made friends with are leaving. The 7th graders are graduating and next year we will have an 8th grade class again. As a teacher I have really grown this year- I have seen things happen that weren't good and made friends with people that I shouldn't have trusted. There are people that I will miss and kids that I have become a mentor too. I have learned that teaching is a science and a science that needs constant practice. But we are practicing on people not things so the mistakes we make really matter.

What I learned about mistakes:
1. Apologize immediately, it doesn't matter if it's a kid, teacher, or parent.
2. Do not dwell on your mistakes, get over it quick.
3. No one is perfect, forgive others fast.

As I look back over this year I really want to remember all the times that I was frustrated and the ways that I got over it. When I was angry I would write a thank you note to a student who really did a good job that day. When I was frustrated I would dance with the kids, go CHA CHA SLIDE. When I was happy I would acknowledge as much as possible the people that were helping me.

Go Dana- It can only get better next year!