Last day for Mrs. Knight...
Yesterday was my last day to teach at Holy Name. I have had tremendously mixed emotions about not renewing my contract for next year. The hard truth is this: I am a pitiful art teacher to middle school-aged children. The word misery comes to mind when I think of the struggles I faced each week with the 6th, 7th and 8th grade.
Of course, it makes little sense to throw the baby out with the bathwater (unless, I guess, you just really don't like your baby) but this last year of struggle has made me question whether I should be teaching at all, which in turn creates a brand new struggle: do I or don't I finish a teaching degree? Well, I've pretty much decided to forgo the teaching degree and finish up the Art History degree instead, but good grief, this decision makes me feel like a big fat failure.
So, my last day wasn't exactly news making, but I did receive some fabulous hugs and a bundle of handmade We will miss you Mrs. Knight cards, which absolutely made my day. I had a number of students tell me how much they liked me, which no matter your age, or whether your the student or the teacher, always feels good. I also had a few students tell me I helped them improve their drawing skills and their ability to think a little more creatively, which as an art teacher, well, other than a brand new box of oil pastels, it doesn't get much better.
Honestly, I loved working with the younger students and I will miss their smiling faces, their stories that take too long to tell, free-time drawings they made only for me, the palpable excitement emitted when they walked in to find paint set out for them on the tables. I will miss these things and many more - and someday I hope to find my rightful place again in a classroom with enthusiastic youngsters - but until then, I am going to work really hard to convince myself I made the best decision for me, for now.
My day ended with the walk to my car and one last GOODBYE MRS. KNIGHT!!!!! from the kids waiting for their ride home. All's well that ends well, right?
Of course, it makes little sense to throw the baby out with the bathwater (unless, I guess, you just really don't like your baby) but this last year of struggle has made me question whether I should be teaching at all, which in turn creates a brand new struggle: do I or don't I finish a teaching degree? Well, I've pretty much decided to forgo the teaching degree and finish up the Art History degree instead, but good grief, this decision makes me feel like a big fat failure.
So, my last day wasn't exactly news making, but I did receive some fabulous hugs and a bundle of handmade We will miss you Mrs. Knight cards, which absolutely made my day. I had a number of students tell me how much they liked me, which no matter your age, or whether your the student or the teacher, always feels good. I also had a few students tell me I helped them improve their drawing skills and their ability to think a little more creatively, which as an art teacher, well, other than a brand new box of oil pastels, it doesn't get much better.
Honestly, I loved working with the younger students and I will miss their smiling faces, their stories that take too long to tell, free-time drawings they made only for me, the palpable excitement emitted when they walked in to find paint set out for them on the tables. I will miss these things and many more - and someday I hope to find my rightful place again in a classroom with enthusiastic youngsters - but until then, I am going to work really hard to convince myself I made the best decision for me, for now.
My day ended with the walk to my car and one last GOODBYE MRS. KNIGHT!!!!! from the kids waiting for their ride home. All's well that ends well, right?
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