Last Friday was our last day of school and I am still in recovery mode. I wasn’t sure what I could slice about, so I flicked through my notebook. I had copied in several messages I got from colleagues, parents, and students that meant so much to me and my eyes fell on this one:
Thank you for loving books
Thank you for loving your class
Thank you for loving me!
This third grader! <3! This weekend I read Teach Like Yourself by Gravity Goldberg and this message helped me to realize I am on the right path. If students leave the year knowing they are loved as they are, then something has gone right in this ever so challenging year.
I am spending the 51 days of break doing what I need to do, want to do, and get to do. On day 52 I will return to school in a new grade level ready for what lies ahead. Today I am grateful for time to let it all sink in.
Ms. Victor Reads 
What a wonderful validation! Thank you for sharing!
Lovely note. Lovely reflection.
What a lovely slice. This shares the kind of teacher we should all strive to be. Thank you
This post makes me smile. Those notes and sentiments are the rewards of what we do. Keeping a notebook with all of these things is a wonderful idea.
Beautiful, Erika! What a sweet note from your student. You said something so true here: “If students leave the year knowing they are loved as they are, then something has gone right in this ever so challenging year.” Amen!
I’m sure you have considered that you will get to teach these sweet grade 3’s again in 2022-23. I know you will be happy to see them again.
I love this reflection. I’ve asked my students all year to reflect on what is going well, but I spent too much of my own thinking this year focused on what was not working or what needed to change. Today, I tried to write my sol in a way that reflected the strengths of the school year. I think it’s so important for us as teachers to make time for that!