In Sunrises: EOY Nostalgia

The title of this post is a common acronym in the elementary and secondary education world. EOY= end of year (often excitement and anticipation of summer months are attached to the use of it).

Someone recently asked me what accomplisments I was most proud of. Maybe because I sometimes compare myself to others, the first things that come to my mind are not the usual accomplishments like graduating from BYU (most of my friends have post grad degrees, and looking back on the experience it was more sunshine than sweat and tears), serving a mission (anyone who has served knows they can't take credit, or at least full credit, for any good done during that time... it was a time of literal miracles), running races (again, I just really enjoy it, and am not very competetive), etc.

What I do feel good about are smaller things that I work on. I don't share these milestones very often. One such milestone was completing my third full year of teaching. It was not the completion that was the milestone, but the way I felt.

It was the second to last day of school and I was on my favorite run, coming back towards Virginia on the Key Bridge. I was reflecting on the school year. Goals I had set, things I still needed to work on, and mostly how much I loved and was going to miss my students. I realized that for the first time as a teacher, I felt like my 'offering' was acceptable. I felt peace about what I had given, how hard I had worked, how much I had loved, and how much I had progressed as a teacher. Perhaps that was more a reflection of where I am personally than any indicator of how pleased the Lord is with me, but I was so grateful to have that feeling. I looked down the river, and there was a rainbow stretching over the river and across the sky. The symbolism of that rainbow was a confirmation of what I had felt.

I am leaving Cooper much sooner than I had expected. I have told friends and family since I started working there that I could stay there for a very long time. From Abdul, the janitor who is loved by all, to Arlene, a principal who leads with love, firmness, and understanding (oh and lots of humor), to supportive and grateful parents, to talented, vibrant, and fun students... the people are some of the highest calibar there are. My drive down the scenic George Washington Parkway was a perfect transition time to and from work. My classroom was spacious and beautiful with large windows looking out over tall green trees and blue skies.

But I am leaving knowing that I'm doing the right thing. I don't know what my life will look like, only that I'll be where I need to be. Here are some of the end of the year events that gave sweet closure to a nearly perfect phase of my career:

My office:) I never thought I would have such a spacious office with such a great view... so many windows and decorated so colorfully!

I may not have been voted for a senior best in high school (in my defense, there were over 600 kids in our graduating class)... but the fact that my hammock was voted best place to read totally makes up for it:) Project summer vacation: mend hammock or go back to PR to buy another one.

Good thing I didn't think too often about how rediculous I must have looked wearing all my 'English' gear throughout the year. I had to wear the clown glasses/clown nose/parrot or monkey hat/sunglasses (usually went with the sunglasses) in order to speak English in my classroom.

Mercedes! I will miss this girl. Think about what you would want your teenage daughter to be like. You're looking at her:)

Olivia. Talented, studious, diligent... incredible student!I had to crop some of the pictures because I didn't have 'photo release forms' from all the students:(

Girls in one of my favorite (if I had favorites...) classes.

Day after the last day of school pampering. Pedicures, manicures, Cafe Rio, good talk with Suz. Doesn't get much better.

CAMPING! At Assateague. Actually, BEACH! That was definitely the highlight of the trip. Being attacked by mosquitos the night before was probably the less fun part. Being in the water all day and eating surprisingly tasty Mexican food on the way home made the trip one of my DC favorites.

Spencer setting up camp (ps thank you Serg and Linds for putting the rain covers on our tents just before the showers rolled in).

Serg showing how yummy the healthy alternative to s'mores can be (roasted apples with pb).

Linds enjoying the real deal

Serg protecting Heather from the wild horses

FHE Crew, putting the finishing touches on the Spanish Class project children's picture books. Thank you to amazing friends. I don't know how I would have cut out all those pages and bound all those books.