Adiossss, Part Time

.....almost :-)

I didn't think I would actually live to see this day, but the hardest term of my life is (almost) over!! All that stands between freedom and I is a little ESOL work sample revision and a technology petition....and Monday I'll be done!!!

Ahh, I don't know what to say. As I mentioned previously, I can't even imagine what it will feel like to get to sleep (in!), clean, cook, exercise, just not do anything. So ready.

Today was my last day in the class. I left a little early because I had to take my ESOL test (my last test...which I passed!) and I wasn't going to really say goodbye for spring break, because they were in their end-of-the-day chaotic state. However, I waved goodbye, which some saw, and all of a sudden I was caught off guard by a throng of 1st graders, throwing their arms around me like it was the last time they were going to see me, even boys that I thought hated me. "Don't leeeavvve Mrs. Omundson!!" "I'm going to miss you Ms. Omundson!!" As I would try to step away, they were still clinging on, and I almost fell several times. Eventually they scrambled away, except for one little girl who, as she does on a daily basis, squeezes me so hard I can't breathe. Who is always so needy and ornery and has had a really hard upbringing, living with her brother and sister-in-law for most of her life. Monday is her first day back with her biological mom. It's like she drinks it in, like she doesn't know when or where she'll get it next. All this to say, I leave many days thinking I'm just messing kids up or they hate me....and then this happens, or I get a picture, etc. All this to say, I see my role so narrow mindedly sometimes and forget that the small things I say and do count, that I have so much power and influence over the shaping of their lives.

This week we gained a student and lost a student. We lost (to a different school) one of our dear ELL boys who, although I could rarely get him to focus in reading group, I loved nonetheless. We got a sweet, quiet girl from English-only 1st grade room who had a bad experience there, and today she was already giving me a big hug. I hate losing students, they always mention it's their last day on the day they leave, and barely anyone knows, or they leave and just don't come back and don't say goodbye. It's such a transient population here. Anyways, I'm glad we got a new student, I've kinda been hoping for one.

I am excited for next term, as always for a blank slate, but to get to devote all of my time and energy to that. I've already started thinking about my unit for my work sample, which I think I'm gonna do on animals/environments, etc. In June we're going to zoo so it'll be perf.

OHH and have I mentioned how my laptop(s) has oficially crashed not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES this term...twice in this past week...naturally, right before each respective work sample was/is due. I had JUST (like 3 days earlier) had the hard drive replaced for $130 before I found out the motherboard/basically everything was screwed. So I'm not really sure what's going to happen next; I'm borrowing computers from OSU/roomies for now, but I'm dreading it.....not only financial wise, but having all my files (word docs, music, pics) in a million different places. Anyways, let's not talk about that right now.

I will update soon about spring break and preparing for full-time!

Ms. O