All good things eventually come to an end. As I sit here on the eve of my last day of teaching, I’m hit with tears of joy. As I close this first chapter of post college life (my first 2 years of teaching), I am grateful for all I have experienced. I have spent the past two years as a 6th grade math teacher at Eagle Ridge Middle School. The 6th grade teachers are an amazing bunch of people who rally together and come along side one another as we try our best to care for our students. We really are a family and I appreciate the supportive atmosphere.
During my second year of teaching, I definitely had my struggles. Some of my students tested my patience daily and learned that I can be as stubborn as them! I learned what it was like to co-teach classes and help those with learning disabilities. I learned that flexibility is to key to becoming a successful teacher. I learned how to care when all I wanted to do was give up. But in the end, it’s not about fractions, common denominators, facts, and rules…it’s about the positive impact I can have on young kids. I was once told, “Praise a student any chance you can because it may be the only positive words they hear all day. Treat every student with respect and never abuse the authority you have been given. Interact with other adults/teachers positively because it may be the only healthy relationship students see between adults.” I hope that I showed my students that they are important to me. I hope they felt my excitement as they succeeded and my sadness when they struggled. I hoped they felt supported and confident in their abilities.
As I venture off into the world, I am filled with gladness and appreciation. Thank you for a wonderful two years. All I can do is walk away with a big smile on my face. I can’t wait to see all that my students accomplish in life. I hope when they are older they look back and say, “Remember Ms Miller…”
