End of the School Year Reflections

The final word has been typed, the last standard has been entered and our end of the year party has been planned. I have 11 school days left with them. My co-teacher told me at the beginning of the year not to get attached but, alas, I wouldn't be Katie Conway if I didn't emotionally over invest in my kids. The thing is, when I reflect on who they are and who they have made me become, I think of the true meaning of friendship.

Fr. Gregg Boyle always talks about kinship and the importance of kinship among communities. Well, my students have given me that; they have given me the most beautiful form of friendly kinship. The values and ways they approach loving their friends is beautiful and reminds me of how I should approach my adult friendships.

“Kinship– not serving the other, but being one with the other. Jesus was not “a man for others”; he was one with them. There is a world of difference in that.”- Fr. Gregg Boyle

Beauty: They have taught me what true beauty is. When "playing with" my hair, they love to put it in front of my face. In their opinion, it makes me look "more beautiful". I try not to take offensive by their insinuation, but they laugh and say, "now Ms. Katie, you look beautiful. You should always wear your hair this way." When I laugh and say, "but you can't see my face, you're covering up my beauty!" They giggle and say, "no, we can still see your smile!" My smile, their smile. I mean, that's truly the most beautiful feature on anyone. Whether you are toothless, have bad breath or the most beautiful pearly whites int he world, a smile warms your heart and makes others want to know what you're smiling about. It spreads beauty as it beams and my kids helped teach me that.

Sharing is Caring: My students have showed me how to love through sharing; sharing toys, germs, sticky hugs, books, laughs or support. Their ability to give of themselves without the thought of getting in return amazes me. One of my favorite "sharing moments" came when one student was sad. He was upset about something and neither my co-teacher nor I could get to him because we were busy. Then, one of the most behaviorally challenging children I ever met, went over to him and without saying anything, started rubbing his back and held his hand. When I looked up to check on the crying child, the usually "jerky one" stunned me. He wasn't looking for attention (for once) and wasn't seeking the crying child's toy or anything, he simply wanted to be a good friend.  

Forgive and Forget: I tell you what, if I had a dollar for every time a student came up to me and said, "so and so did this to me" and then had to have a conversation with the two feuding kids about kind words and touches; I could seriously retire. But the funny thing is, at the end of each of these conversations, I always make them apologize and hug it out. Once they do that, all is right in the world and they are besties again. It's crazy! I mean someone could say, "you're the ugliest, meanest, stupidest person ever" and as long as they get an apology and a hug, the two are friends again. There are friendships that crumble and families that divide over pride and the inability to apologize. These kids have shown me the importance of accepting people for who they are and forgetting about their past failings.

My kids make me smile. They fill my heart with joy and make my life better. People often wonder, "how do you do it? Aren't they annoying and sticky and make messes?" I can't imagine doing anything else because of how much I get to learn and be reminded of through their actions and perspective on life.

“I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all those people, that they were mine and I theirs.” -Fr. Gregg Boyle