Baggage and Osama

Today was field day at my school and, of course, I can't help to think that it will be my last one in America (for a while), let alone my school.  Today was also the day I decided to tell my students that I was leaving.  I decided to make a powerpoint (I know, I know, very teacher like of me) to explain where I was going. The children freaked out!  They were so excited and enthusiastic.  They asked questions and told me their thoughts and opinions on the matter.  However, it was one question that struck me the most and it came from the most unlikely of sources...T.  Now, everyone knows T and he has truly been my "special" throughout the year.  I have learned so much from him and he will always stay in my memory along with my other "specials".  Today, as I talked, T did his usual yelling out and overtalking everyone during MY presentation.  One of his "yell outs" asked the question, "So does your mom want you to go, Ms. Dula"  T was the only one who asked me that question and for a few moments, I was reminded why I have come to love this little, yet outrageous boy.  The question was so innocent and I felt that he was truly concerned about my mom's feelings.  He was thinking about my family.  For a strange reason, it actually made me sad and connected to him at the same time.  Now, of course, he then rants that I am going where "Osama's cousins live", but everything with T is short lived.  With all that being said, even in my excitement I have to remember that I am leaving some very important people behind.  That even though their presence is no longer in the physical, they are with me in spirit everywhere I go.  I have learned in the last few weeks, that there are a lot of people going with me on this journey.  I have never felt so loved by so many..I will need their thoughts, encouragement, love, and prayers from the day I step on the plane, to the first day of class, and, finally, to the day I come home.....my only conclusion is that I definitely am going to need a larger suitcase!

Where did all these books come from?

For the past few days, I have been busily packing up my classroom library and throwing away anything else.  I have also been sifting and giving away a lot of what I have accumulated over the last seven years of my school life.  I told a coworker today that I feel like I have taught 18 years!  I now have 3 full boxes and I am still contemplating going through them again.  As I was going through my books, I was looking at them and scratching my head..."I am so tired of seeing all these books".  Suddenly,I thought,  "Why don't you give some of these books to your students!".  I looked immediately to a little girl in my room whose smile has been bright all year.  She was recently exited as an ESL student and has told me repeatedly that her family could not afford to participate in certain activities because "my mom doesn't have any money".  Earlier this year, we did a writing assignment in which I asked the students what they would spend a newly acquired large amount of money.  The first thing that she wrote on her paper was, " I would give my mom rent and grocery money.  I would get some new clothes too for my family".  And through all of this...she still smiles and warms a room with her "Ms. Dula, you forgot to....."  And even at the time that she is telling me my missteps, I remember that she is only taking "care" of me because that is her nature.  What a beautiful lesson to learn from a child!  Soooo long story short, I started giving her books.  I didn't tell her why but I just told her she had to read them.  The student just took them and did what she was told.  My brain was telling me that what I was giving her was hand me downs but my heart was telling me that she will sit and read those books with herself and with her family....that not only she will enjoy them but they will be passed down to her siblings. Reading and books are so often taken advantaged of, but when we don't have the skills or the resources to read, they are sorely missed.  In short, I will take this experience with me as I watch my students in Abu Dhabi. 

Countdown to my last day at my school 8 days!

M.Ed...where's the notary?!

Yesterday, I graduated from Graduate school with my master's and I could think about is how fast I am going to get it authenticated.  I laugh to myself as think how my thoughts have changed since making this decision to go to Abu Dhabi.  Even though I celebrated happy occasions this week, I also said a goodbye to a dear coworker and friend.   Although I am happy that she is no longer suffering, I feel for her family and best friends.  Two of her best friends work along with me, and I have shared tears and many hugs with them.  One of my friends told me, "You can't go now!  What's going to happen to our team?  One of us just decided that she just didn't want to come back next year!"    :)    Although, I know my friends at school are excited for me to leave, but I know they are a little sad...and so am I.  I walk the halls and sometimes I get overwhelmed with feelings of sadness because I know I will not walk these halls in the same capacity again.  I will be a visitor and my classroom and position will be replaced.  The children that I spent so much of my energy on will move on and hopefully, will make decisions that will make positive changes in their lives.  Sometimes, I wish I could stay just to see them grow..but I know the decision I made is the best.