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Friday’s Confession Booth: The final Chapter

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Friday, October 14, 2011

Friday’s Confession Booth: The final Chapter

Welcome to Friday's Confession Booth. To participate - you write a "Confession Post." It doesn't have to be serious, and you can read more about them HERE. Make sure you Enter the link-up below.  Then grab the button and place it in your post to link back and share with everyone's confessions.

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Today, I’m “confessing” for the last time.  I’m feeling more and more pressure to “confess” – and think I want to evolve it into something different.  I’ve actually been thinking about doing something with pictures and maybe on a different day… so we will see. 

Here is my confession.  I’ve cried 3 times this week.  Each time has involved students.

Earlier this week we did a “respect” building activity in some of my classes.  They had to write lists of qualities they liked about each other.  (I’m sure you’ve all heard about a version of this activity.) It is a great reminder to all about how amazing they are.  The lesson was amazing. Just awesome.  I loved every minute of seeing their faces as they read what their peers wrote about them.  Then came my last class.  They insisted I “do it too.”  So, to humor them, I made a card.  Which they all filled in turn with nice things about me.  A list… of nice things about me.  I’m not going to lie.  The minute that door shut at the end of the day, I sat down at my desk and cried.  Tears of appreciation.  I guess I needed that little card too. 

A few days ago a student drew me a picture.  She drew me with my kids and a dog.  I’m holding Alexander and the twins are sort of being drug along behind me.  And it is so sweet… So perfect.  It is like a cartoon snapshot of our house.  The fact that she took the time to draw it … for me?  The door shut and the tears came.  She gave up her time to make something special for me.

Finally… last night.  Parent’s night.  These simple words, “My kid loves your class.”  “Your class is my kid’s favorite subject.”  “My kid talks about your class all the time.”  … These words I needed to hear.  This is why I leave my kids and go to school everyday.  I cried on the way home.

People are so quick to point out all we are doing wrong.  Sometimes it is nice to hear what you are doing right.
 
Parents,
I get asked all the time what teachers want for “Christmas” ..etc.  You know what they really want?  A hand written card that says, “I really appreciate all you do for my kid.”  That’s it.  Not a candle. Or a potholder. Or a mug. (not to sound ungrateful….) but – just a simple statement of appreciation.

Thanks for confessing with me.  If you want to do it one more time – just grab the button and link up.

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6 Comments:

At October 14, 2011 at 12:13 PM , Blogger Shell said...

What sweet teaching moments! :) How I loved those.

Yes, a note was always great.

Um... or a gift card.

Just sayin'. ;)

 
At October 14, 2011 at 3:04 PM , Blogger championm2000 said...

When I read the first line, I thought the post was going in a totally different direction.

By all that is good about Friday, it turned out to be about happy tears!! YAY!

How wonderful to get the affirmation from your students and parents. Hang on to those words and drawings!

I am sad to see FCB go, but I am excited to see where you go next.

 
At October 14, 2011 at 8:14 PM , Blogger justin and marsi said...

Glad you had those great moments this week. I of course linked up for the first time this week, just as it's going away. :( snooze you lose! ;)

 
At October 15, 2011 at 1:55 AM , Blogger Deb said...

When I saw that you'd cried three times, this wasn't what I was expecting! I'm glad what I was expecting was not what I found, because this was a wonderfully sweet way to end my day. ♥

This year, I hope you get some of the notes you mention here. I hope, too, to join you for one of these confession Fridays--obviously on a non-FTIAT day!

 
At October 16, 2011 at 7:21 AM , Blogger Cathy said...

That's beautiful. :)

Your confession made me realize that I've focused too much on my negative experiences with my kid's teachers and not enough on the positive. I immediately began to think of people who should hear those words.

Thank you.

 
At October 23, 2011 at 11:42 PM , Blogger Eric, Erin, Elsie and Emmy said...

I love this confession! Thank you for sharing your tears!

 

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