First off, I have talked many times on my blog this school year about how this has been the most difficult year I have had teaching so far. I have a very big class, with lots of personalities within it. I have felt really discouraged many times this year, mostly because I have felt that many of my students have not yet shown me their full potential. I told that to many of the parents I met with the past two evenings, and most of them concurred.
But as I was finishing up this evening, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of satisfaction. I know each of my students this year on a level that I haven't known any other class before. I know about their home lives, their struggles, their victories, and their accomplishments in a deeper way than I've known my previous students. This is most likely because I have had to work really hard to connect with them so that I can keep even the slightest bit of control in my classroom! I was able to really connect with the parents I met with, mostly because I know their child so well. I was able to tell parents about their student's accomplishments and how well many of them are doing. I conducted most of my conferences with a big smile on my face! I felt good telling [most of] my parents how proud I was of them! My bucket is certainly full!
I just wanted to share my smile with you! :-)
