I'm Proud

Last night, my high school had its Class of 2006 graduation. I was much more excited this year than last, because I taught many of these students. I felt like I knew even more because of their various stints in ISS. It was great to see all of them all cleaned up and excited about finishing high school (some were somewhat of a miracle, I must say!!). It reminded me of when I graduated, and so I was happy to be able to share that experience with them. My principal tells us from day 1 that it is important that each of his teachers participate in graduation. We all march in with the students, wearing gowns and graduation hoods. It's a cool feeling to be right there with the graduates, watching their legs shake and hearing them breathe heavily as row after row stands up in front of them, walking across the stage. The student's leg next to me got pretty violent in its shaking when the row right in front of us stood up. It's amusing to hear the same worries and fears that we had when we were graduating ("Is my cap on straight"..."Oh my God, I'm going to fall!"). I was proud of my students, and glad to be a little part of their lives. It's nights like these that I forget all about the things that they may have said in the past, or the behavior they used to exhibit. It feels wonderful to see your hard work and your students' perseverance culminate in one celebratory evening.