Save Points & Reflections: Year Two Complete

The end of the school year is both exciting and bittersweet all at the same time. Teaching middle schoolers is really not for the weak as they are going through probably the hardest years of school ever. They start having 7 class periods a day, have 7 teachers a day, and meet so many new friends all while going through hormone changes and all the drama of being a pre-teen/young teenager. You find out that your best friend through all of elementary school no longer wants to hang out because he found new friends that are "popular," all while meeting a new friend that will be one of your bridesmaids in the distant future. Middle school truly is an emotional whiplash for these students.

Being their teacher can be hard, but also the most rewarding. Wednesday was the last day of school for my district and it had to be one of the most emotional days of the year. I love all of my students as if they are my own, however, this is my second year teaching and my first group of students that I have known since the 6th grade. All of my students have grown up so much since I met them in 6th grade, both in height and maturity. Being an elective teacher allows you the ability to build such strong relationships with your students and teach them real-world skills. I get to teach my students photography, film, podcasting, and digital design which means I get to see my students discover new skills and passions.

One thing that makes this end of the year even more bittersweet is that my little brother is moving on to high school. Since I work at his school, I have been taking him with me for the last three years. Not having a ride buddy anymore is going to be very weird once the 2025-2026 school year starts, but I know that he is starting his next journey. It makes me emotional, but unfortunately growing up is a part of life. My sister is also starting her senior year, which I can't believe at all. My siblings are growing up too fast and it's not okay!

The part of the day that truly got me in my feels was the clap out that they do for the 8th graders. Students that I didn't even have this school year were giving me the biggest hugs, thanking me, and telling me they are going to miss me. It makes me emotional because I get to see how much of a positive impact that I have left on these students and that is all I ever wanted. When I started teaching, my goal was to make a difference in these students' lives while also getting to teach them about the things I am passionate about. I truly did not realize how quickly I would start to see those impacts!

Here's to the end of my second year teaching and to summer break kicking off! It's time to rest up and get working on all my hobbies that I haven't picked up in months.

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Your Side Quest:

If you could write a letter to your middle school self, what would it say?