For teachers there is a sense of relief mingled with sadness at the end of a school year.  Relief that the year is done and sadness that the year is done!  At least that is how I feel.  I am MUCH relieved to be done the year because I have literally poured myself into the job and into the lives of my students.  I can feel my spiritual, emotional and physical “bucket” is nearly empty and in great need of being filled up with renewed energy and purpose.  I am exhausted.

That said, I am equally sad that the year is done because in many ways there was more I could have done.  I re-evaluate my lesson plans, wondering how I could have improved my method of delivery, or how I could have reached my more challenging or troubled students?  With every comment I write in their report cards, I wonder if they will retain anything from my classes.  Have they actually learned?  Did my students actually grow up in the knowledge and admonition of the Lord in my classroom?

I am saddened that I will not be with these students next year.  God has closed one door but opened another one, so I will be moving from my Junior High position to teaching a Grade Six class after Christmas.  I love teaching Junior High Schoolers but I go where I am most needed and in this case it’s teaching Grade Sixers.  It will be a new challenge.

I prayed everyday for my students and prayed that I would daily try to represent my Lord well in the classroom.  I tried to show fairness and grace when a student needed that.  I tried to be firm when the need arose for that as well.  I made a point of smiling in the face of adversity, modeling patience and perseverance and fighting back my natural prideful nature by practicing humility.  That was sometimes the hardest thing for me to do.

Some days were silver and some days gold…and some days…well…they lacked any colour, but luckily they were few and far between.  The last day of classes was a “GOLD” day as my students surprised me with a birthday party.  It wasn’t even my birthday!!  I had mentioned that I had never had my birthday celebrated at school, even as a child, because I was an August baby.  So they surprised me with what they called a “pre-lated” birthday party.  It was awesome!

So, the school year is coming to an end.  I am looking forward to recharging during the summer and seeking direction for the new school year.  I have “run the race” set before me this year.  I kept the pace and with God’s encouragement I crossed the finish line…exhausted but feeling that overall I finished well!