Secretly I've been a person all along

Well, graduation weekend has come and gone. The school feels really empty without the seniors around. It was a weekend of reflection on my 3 years here, because really after teaching most of this class when they were in grade 10, I knew that I wanted to stay and see them through graduation. I expected to cry, but didn't. Instead, I felt so proud. I can't even imagine what it's like if you're a parent - you must want to explode with the joy of what they do and can do. And when they disappoint, the heart ache must border on wondering if you should call an ambulance.

As a class, these students were not cohesive, which I've related stories of before. However, as individuals, they are amazing and I have no doubt of what they are capable of.

There were fewer teachers than usual at the post-graduation celebration at the Hard Rock. It is strange to share a beer with students, especially for those of us coming from North America. But, I had a good time. Seeing some of my favorite students smoking was awful. Seeing some of my former students who had come back for the ceremony no longer smoking was awesome.

On the way out the door, at a very reasonable 10:45, I was stopped by one of the students. "Ms. S, I don't know if should tell you this or not, but we've found your blog. I went back and read the whole thing and I feel so much more connected to you... you know, as a person."

I'm always conscious of this being, well, on the Internet, and knowing that whatever is here is for public consumption. But I did have a fleeting moment of "should I be worried?" But then, I realized (hoped?) that it was that students aren't used to thinking of their teachers as people with lives outside of the school. But it's true! We are people, maybe we just don't such a good job of making it obvious in the class though.

And while I find it exciting that my readership is now up to potentially 8 (eight!), perhaps instead of googling me, y'all should have been studying. But now that exams and graduation have come and gone and you're on your way to college feel free to comment or send my messages occasionally.

Best of luck, class of 2010.