Countdown to the End: Day 10

It’s the last Friday for my seniors. I thought of that when I was teaching my animal science class for college credit. I looked around during class, and thought that these are the future productive citizens that are products of my program. One of them walked in and said he probably lost 5 pounds because he just came from the bathroom. I guess I should be glad he didn’t go into detail. Another senior came in late, spent the next 5 minutes rolling up his shirt sleeves, and then asked the rest of the class if they were even. Another senior asked if he could work on a welding project in the shop during my class. It was a welding project that I assigned him as an intern in my room. I said no because we were taking a test today. He looked surprised like he didn’t know we were taking a test today. My other senior spent the first five minutes of class washing his hands at the back sink in my room. For all their faults I really do think they are good kids. They make me smile, and they frustrate me beyond belief. I think they will make productive citizens, and I know they will contribute to this community.

My seniors that attended National FFA Convention.

I feel pretty numb about leaving. As my student volunteer started taking down my bulletin boards and packing up my college books in boxes today, I didn’t feel sad. It was a feeling of indifference. It reminds of when I first started teaching. The way I trained myself to be towards situations, so crying or blowing a gasket at a student wouldn’t happen. I started going home for lunch, so I wouldn’t be in the teacher’s lounge. I started doing that because of all the smells at lunchtime mixing with my morning sickness. I ate lunch in the teacher’s lounge today, but I realized that it’s not just the sickness, it’s the distancing myself from everyone. The less I’m there the less I will miss it.

I know I made the right decision because I won’t have to carry a key ring with over 20 different keys on it, a key fob, and 1 light switch prong.