Done

Wow it's been a while.

Last week was the final week of school: finals, graduation, out.

Finals went fairly well. 4 students got a D or lower, which means they will need to repeat the course. One I saw coming: this student had checked out from day 1, their average was below %50 going into the final, done deal. Two were somewhat of a surprise: they were doing low Cish work, but they bombed on the final. I feel like it's a fair cop though: they both put in middling effort and definitely did not really understand what was going on.

The last was a heart-breaker, a student who worked harder than anyone else in the class, bar none, but just has *so* much trouble with math. For all of their effort, they went into the final with a high D and came out with a lower D.

Graduation was amazing. 40 students graduated in front of a huge crowd of family, extended family, and sponsors. It was interesting to see this crowd of ethnic, working-class families shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of wealthy middle-aged Silicon Valley philanthropist types, all cheering for these graduates. And boy did they cheer. There were no polite golf claps. Signs, posters, horns (like trumpets and those air horns), noise-makers, etc. Crazy.

All of the teachers wore the traditional gown and hood getup and we sat onstage with the graduates. Each student stood up in turn and one teacher shared a bit about that student (I didn't do any talking as I never had any of these students). I was particularly moved by one student who has basically acted as a parent to their younger siblings and their aunt's child. For four years they put in a full day of school, then went home to homework, housework, cooking dinner and caring for several young kids. And they did volunteer work on top of this. Amazing.

On Tuesday there was a student faculty volleyball game. It was a profound blowout: one of the teachers played NCAA volleyball, and another one is on the national team for Morocco. The two of them alone could have devastated the students. Add in two more teachers who coach and play regularly, and it was all over. I managed to do a head-on collision with another teacher (at least my head was involved) and got my head split. Game stopped, blood everywhere. Later that evening got 5 staples in my head.

I knew this would happen, but I am very sentimental and finding it difficult to let go of the students. I had them all sign my yearbook. I wrote up a final sheet of things I wanted them to learn (like non-geometry life things) and things I learned from them. And I am currently in the middle of writing emails to each one of them to point out good things I see in them and encourage them for the future. I hope that's not weird.

So now it's on to new adventures. I have a month of teaching improv to some of the students (first class is today), but that's only a few hours a week. My main gig in June will be resting and relaxing, and looking for a new job.

Bottom line: it was a great year. Absolutely no regrets at all. I was blessed beyond words to get to work at such a great school. And, contrary to my initial concerns, it has only made the future seem more open and full of possibilities. While I am still sorting all kinds of things out, I am much more comfortable now with who I am and what I want to do. And, just as important, who I am not and what I don't want to do.

If anyone reading this has ever thought about taking a year to teach, I'd recommend it. There were plenty of challenges and frustrations, but all totally worth it.

Thanks for reading!