Opinion
Student Achievement Opinion

Being Recognized By Those Who Matter

By Starr Sackstein — June 28, 2015 1 min read
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This year’s graduation wasn’t as tear-filled as years past, but seeing students I’ve taught for three years find their way across our stage felt momentous.

All dressed up, grown up and off to college, the students threw their confetti and eagerly said their goodbyes.

I always get a preview to graduation. Being the AP literature and composition teacher means that both the Valedictorian and the Salutatorian are in my class and they will need help with their speeches.

In usual senior manner, the two of my students this year waited until the last minute and I was charged with helping them ready their work and they needed work.

How do you encapsulate seven years of secondary learning in three minute speech? (Our school is 6-12). My advice is to focus on the positive.

Our school has it’s kinks, as school schools do, but there are many great memories made and graduation is the time to celebrate those moments not talk grievances.

When it was all said and done, the kids did well and I received the above thank you note that honestly made my day. Sometimes we lose sight of the important work we do or we think the kids don’t get it, but they do. And if we’re fortunate enough to receive a thank you, we need to cherish them because it really is all about the kids.

So as I walk away from the 2014-2015 school year, I feel fortunate to have had an impact on the lives of future game changers and learners. They too have left an indelible mark on me as a person that I will carry with me through the rest of my years of teaching.

So teachers be grateful for your kids and their kind words, they can you through hard times and remind you of the difference you make.

Enjoy your summer and stay tuned for awesome summer learning and planning for 2015-16.

If you have topics you’d like me to cover, please let me know.

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