Sad Goodbyes

This month is the start of saying goodbye to my classes. For me, goodbyes are usually always difficult, like saying goodbye to family or friends....or my classes!

I have said goodbye to many a class and be it a whole year or a few weeks, I always tear up. Even when I don't like a class like one I just finished. I mean they weren't tears of sadness but there were tears....ok maybe that's a lie but they definitely had me singing Hallelujah as they walked out the door. However, it seeing them leave left me thinking...."this is going to be the trend for the next few weeks, classes ending, and hey, I actually like my other classes a whole lot".

So tonight marked my first night of tears or at least being choked up. I had my students doing a speaking activity with partners until two or so minutes left so I think that saved me from the waterworks. If I would have gone into a speech about how much I was going to miss them, I definitely would have started crying. Plus, I have a feeling I will see some of the again...or at least hear from them. Some have invited me to Karaoke this Sunday and it is still up in the air whether I will go or not but we shall see. I also gave my email address out at the end of class, in hopes that maybe one person would want to stay in touch. I told them I was being cheesy and they totally didn't have to write it down...but if they wanted to that would be great! When I turned around after writing my email on the board, I saw everyone with a pen and piece of paper out! Yay! And now come the tears.

To explain my relationship with this class...I have loved them since day one. I never really knew where I stood with them though because they always looked so tired in class and sometimes it was like pulling teeth to get them to answer. I was a little offended at first but after talking to them more, I realized that they were so exhausted. If I am tired teaching a class from 7:30-9:30, they are probably just as tired or more. I mean, they have been at school all day and then they have to come to more class....yeah I don't blame them for being tired. I did really try everything to get them energized though. But like I said, I never knew how they felt about me until tonight. Even though the bell had rung, they stayed behind to finish writing down my email and talk a little while longer....as opposed to the class the night before which bolted out of the classroom without the slightest acknowledgment that this was our last class.

From left to right: Sella, Jacky, Susan, Tom, me, Vicky, Andy, poor Allence didn't get much in the picture, Amy and Kanza who seems thrilled!

Having a class like theirs was definitely hard to let go, but I am excited to have the opportunity to meet new students and hopefully have some impact on their lives too! I just hope my new classes are all like them....but maybe with a little more energy!