Winter camp is finished, the grades are in, and I had my last days at both schools.  I didn’t give any advanced notice to the students or teachers that I wasn’t coming back because I didn’t want a big fuss, but I still managed to get a surprise goodbye party.

Country school winter camp art

We had a barbecue party at the country school to celebrate the end of the school year.  When I said I wouldn’t be there next year, they all said how sorry they were that they didn’t get me a goodbye present.  Grilled meat is a good enough gift for me!

Meat!

I already told some teachers at the city school that I wasn’t coming back next year, and I know they told the students at my camp because they all wrote me goodbye letters.  I’m going to keep them forever!

We read different fables and each student had to make a poster for their favorite fable

“Farewell” cake

I’m excited for a change but I really will miss these students.  I didn’t enjoy my middle school years and in some ways the experience of bonding with middle school students was cathartic.  I was reminded of how smart, silly, insecure, profound, and kind pre-teens can be.  Can’t I take them all with me to my new home?