Remember the Reason - Post #2

Friday was the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL for my Shining Superstars. This week was filled with packing, playing, paperwork, parties, hugs, a few tears but a lot of laughter.  Here's a short list of what worked for me this week:

1.  Pinterest / bloggers - Thanks for all of the great ideas.  My favorite new idea was from Stephanie's blog Falling Into First. Her ice-cream sandwich sundaes were a HUGE hit with the kids and the teachers. I will never scoop another bowl of ice-cream in school again.

GENIUS idea

2. My friends - Thank you all for helping me get through this stressful week where my CRAZY, CRAZY procrastination almost caught up with me.

3.  Remembering the reason - My favorite part of the week is when I took the time to remember the reason why I teach.  Every year on the last day while the kids are watching a movie, I pull each student up one at a time to give them the one-on-one attention that they need. First, I open their gift for me. I like to do this away from the other students so that I don't hurt anyone's feeling who might not have gotten me a present. Then I tell each child what makes them special and why I will miss them.  When I'm done talking, I give them one of my extra special "sqwishy hugs" - the kind that let's them know I love them.  I know it sounds kind of sappy but the smile on a child's face while I am telling them what makes them special, is one of the reasons why I teach.

I hope that during this crazy time you had a chance to remember the reason.