My last day came and went. The worst part is because I have two separate classes, I had to do two separate goodbyes, and I really hate goodbyes. The day before I had asked my teacher in a not so innocent voice, "Do you think the kids would mind if I didn't tell them I was leaving?" She was incredulous: "You can't do that." So I caved and that night I made personalized goodbye cards with stickers for all the kids.
Today when I told my morning class I was leaving, I had a constant barrage of the classic kid's "WHY?" line of questioning.
Joe: I'm leaving boys and girls. Today will be my last day.
Kids: Why?
Joe: I have to go to another school.
Kids: Why?
Joe: I need experience teaching older students.
Kids: But why?
Another scene:Girl: You are going to be at another school tomorrow, so I'm going to be at another school tomorrow too.
Joe: Are you really?
Girl: Yes.
(I asked her mom later if she is going to another school soon and the mom said no).
Another scene: It was the end of the class and the kids lined up to say bye to me and were told to either give me a hug or handshake. When it was
Bjork's turn she didn't look at me at all and walked right by towards the exit like she didn't care I was leaving. She hadn't looked at me much all day since I made the announcment. The other teacher said, "Aren't you going to hug Mr. V?" Bjork looked at me and slowly dragged her feet towards me and stood still in front of me with her head looking away. I gave her a hug and then she sort of walked away uncaringly. She never said bye or looked at me when she left the class.
Another scene: The kids were giving me a booklet they made called Memoirs of Mr. V. Inside the booklet they had drawn pictures of me and what they liked about me. For example, "I like the way he reads stories," or "I like the way he pushes me on the swings." This booklet was a total surprise to me because I had only seen them filling out a signature card and had no idea they also worked on a book. The teacher picked two students to hand me the card and booklet. The boy gave it to me and then quickly sat down. He looked up at me and said, "I'm going to miss you Mr. V," and his eyes are welling with tears. I just had a great feeling inside. I will miss him too. As faulty as it is, he was one of my favourites (you can't help but like some kids more; the important thing is to not treat any of the kids differently).
Final scene: A kid ran up to me while I was doing my work. He thrusted a gift bag into my face and said, "This is for you." It was a present his mom and him purchased for me. The second I grabbed the bag and said thank you he nearly knocked me over with a hug.
I'm really going to miss the little rascally buggers. At the end when they were leaving, I was shooting off rapid fire advice. "Nicholas, keep practicing on the swings, you have to get ready for grade one." "Christopher, keep playing with jigsaw puzzles, you are so good at it." "Nicole, you can write your name now, but keep practicing." "Laura, be a good girl while I'm gone. Always listen to your parents and the teachers." I felt like I was on my deathbed giving out last minute advice because I would never see them again.
Goodbye Kindergarten. Hello -- soon -- grade six.
