Rewards and the 3 "C"s

Inserting the key into the doorknob, turning it 360 degrees to the right, and pushing the door open ushers me into the room where I have been teaching since August 12. Friday did not show me any signs that it would be different than any other day. My routine is simple: Write up the agendas on the board, try and shake off the dark cloud that hovers over my head after working with the middle school students, enter more grades, and make copies of handouts and worksheets. Then, fourth period starts and my students help me forget that I was even at the middle school earlier. The class full of 26 enthusiastic students, though not always enthusiastic about learning French, makes me laugh and sigh- all at the same time.

Fifth period came around and I could tell something was up. One of my students had IMed me the night before, asking if I liked red velvet cake. This is not a random question that does not arouse suspicion, but I brushed it off. It was probably for one of my last days at the high school.

After lunch, I came into the room and was putting together material for the next class when 5 of my students marched in carrying a huge box of cupcakes, a cake, chocolate chip cookies, soda, and a gift. I was speechless. They had been lamenting that it was my last day as their teacher, but I didn't know that they would do anything on that day! I was a little bit speechless. Remembering back to the beginning of the school year, I remember my frustration at the challenge I thought would be my French 2 class. Now that I've made it through, I can say, fondly and honestly, that I learned the most from my French 2 students. Rough days happen and no one is ever perfect (And they know I made enough mistakes to prove that) yet the experience was one of the best. It's amazing how little things like cake, cupcakes, and cookies can brighten your day and give you that warm fuzzy feeling and you float around on a cloud for about 2 hours. They were such a blessing to teach. That probably sounds pretty cliché, but it's true.

It was a great Friday. I love all of my French 2 students. I am sad to let them go, but I have to. I can only imagine how hard it's going to be to let go of all of the students. We'll find out, I guess.