一年又過去了 Another year...

Another year just ended for all of my schools, NHCLS, HSCLP and Foote.  For work that I will return to next fall, I feel all ready to go again (believe or not!), and for that I am leaving, there is tremendous sadness.  This is a transitional year for me both as a teacher and administrator. 

As a teacher, I have now gained a full scope of working with different populations, age groups and administrations.  How I wish I have more time to do more of everything!  The different students have different things to offer; some challenge you; some look for your challenges.  Every one of them has a different story that I care to discover.  The different age groups have different needs and give you different rewards.  While my little ones shower me with their hugs and cards, my big kids thank me for pushing them to achieve more.  The administrators also have their varying priorities, different styles and amounts of support.  It is always interesting to learn about the inner workings of any educational organization.

I love to see when learning is both rigorous and low-stress.

As an administrator, I look back to where we were a year ago, and where we are now.  It's mind-boggling.  See Revitalize thy school!  I enjoyed working with new teachers because I want to help them in the way that I wish someone would have helped me as I was once a developing teacher.  While I don't want my teachers to be reproductions of myself, I want to impress upon them values that drove me to persist as an educator.  

Helen is so conscientious and makes her students shine.

My reward is when the teachers believe that education is a mission; it is when they want to hold their students to high standards; it is when they can reflect on what they have done to make a lesson successful or not; it is when they are brave enough to confront their insecurities. 

Chien-Ju's class is always full of laughter.

The parents in all of my schools are the most encouraging as well.  I appreciate their kind words and support, as I embark on my first year as an administrator.  They are tolerant of my uncertainties and constant requests for their feedback.  They are invested as we are in their children's education and community.

As for my co-administrator, not only do I thank her for the opportunities she gave me to reflect, she also makes me a better communicator.  Without her, I would not have the courage to pick up our school alone.  She has been a confidant, a friend, a teacher and a little voice in my head reminding me of all the details of running our little school. 

Until next year！