The last day of school for many of my students was May 20th, so I had them write notes to next year's students about what the class was like. I told them I was going to give the notes to the students next year, but really, I just wanted to see what they would say. Some of their insights were...interesting, and I enjoy hearing their opinions! I thought I would share a few with you from both my Geometry and Math Models classes. (Please note that they were not all this positive and kind...I simply decided to just throw the mean ones away and focus on the good!)
"It's cool in this class. You will learn a lot in here."
"Hey guys, next year will be fun with Mrs. Daniels. Trust me, she's a great teacher. You'll learn a lot from her. I'm not very good at math, but she helped me improve a lot."
"You will have an amazing year with Mrs. Daniels. She is a wonderful teacher. I promise you will learn in her class a lot, and she will never give up on you."
"Don't fall behind, that sucks."
"This class was alright, just don't fall asleep."
"This class will murder you if you don't pass the weekly test..............but overall it's a good class"
"Just get ready to work every single day."
"She will make you be quiet and you will learn a lot and realize how easy stuff is."
"Well, this class is fun. Well kinda. The teacher is very understanding and nice. She don't like it when you talk Spanish, so try not to!"
"I really enjoyed this class, it was good. I felt that Mrs. Daniels had everything on cue, sequential, like she really thought out the entire year."
"Although Geometry was not my favorite subject, Mrs. Daniels made this class really fun."
"You'll want to give up sometimes, and I'm sure her "tons" of work will, frankly, at first shock you, but Mrs. Daniels will prepare you for what comes ahead. She'll teach you what you need to know in Geometry, for TAKS or end of course exams, and should the need arise, she will give you the pick-me-up of the day. Confide in her, don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it, and do as she asks, and Geometry will go smoothly."
"Okay, the main thing you must do is pay attention to what she has to say. She will ask for your complete ability to do it all and trust me it will pay off in the long run when it comes to the stupid TAKS test or in life."
"Pay attention from like Day 1 cause once you lose focus, you start slippin' hard. If you don't know what a lesson's about, it's extra important to get help. Don't be afraid to ask Mrs. Daniels questions 'cause she knows whas up."
"This teacher will teach you a lot and make sure you succeed, just like she did with me. Be respectful because she deserves nothing but!"
"Don't skip out because you will miss out!"
"Waz up people! Hope you like this class. Mrs. D is kewl, loves to have fun with her class. She is funny, nice, and you just have to love her."
"One year closer to graduating! Pay attention, I actually learned a lot!"
"Make sure to do your work...or else. Oh and on Fridays you will get candy! The work is really easy...so yeah...do the work."
"I think this class it's really good, you can learn if you pay attention, but if you don't, you won't learn anything. Honestly, I learned more this year than last year about math and I liked the way you teach us."
"This class is cool and easy if you pay attention, but I didn't so I failed for the year."
"Just pass the class and you won't have to take it again."
The students here have taught me just as much as I have taught them. I am glad to have had the experience of working here. It's not all hugs and smiles all the time; reality is rough. But where else would I have learned how to dance the cumbia or have tried a Mexican spiced apple? Several students have touched my heart for many reasons, and I wouldn't trade knowing them for anything. This year has been tough; the experience has been enlightening, but my work and efforts are paid off when the students feel and are successful.
So, finally, I leave you with one of the more insightful comments from one of my students.
This student is in my 5th period class and had a really rough past and a hard time this year because of it. He is the sweetest kid, with great potential, and he is actually pretty smart and mature for his age. He is quiet, thoughtful, polite, and respectful. He is the father of a 2 year old, and he has been kicked out of his family's house. He and his girlfriend are raising the boy, attending high school, and working full time jobs. He missed class a lot when he had to take his boy home from day care because he was sick and for other various reasons. This situation, unfortunately, is not uncommon for these kids, and it's hard to know how to help them deal with all these issues in their lives. I was pretty hard on him and wouldn't pass him because he had missed so much work in class, even though the counselor thought that I should. He and I had a good relationship, though, and I think he could understand where I was coming from too. Once I refused to pass him on good faith, he started showing up to class more often. His efforts improved, and he really started trying to show me what he could do. He would even stay after class for a few minutes to figure out the questions he was stuck on. He is close to passing for the year and is one of the students still in school now, trying to make up his credits. The comment he turned in on his card really touched me, because it has so much meaning for him. He is one of those kids that I will really miss. His comment:
"Dear children of the future,
Pay attention in class and you will learn a lot.
The choices we make dictate the life we lead. To thine own self be true."
~John
The wedding was at the Salt Lick pavillion south of Austin. It was a beautiful location, with a waterfall and river in the background. We took a walk and Travis climbed a tree...
