Little Wonders

This school year was soul sucking. We had everything possible thrown at us. But we made it. And so did our kids. I don't care when people say, "our kids are behind in their learning". My K - 2 kiddos learned to operate and use platforms that they had never even seen before quarentine. And FAST. If that's not what's needed for future jobs, I'm not sure what is. Because that's what all this learning is supposed to be doing - right? They also learned to be resilient, flexible, persistent and loving, caring human beings.

There were four things that got me through this year: my IA, my team, our classroom parents, but most of all, my kindergarten students.

They went through it all with us and whenever I felt low (which was often), I would reflect on the little wonders, the small hours of the day. The beautiful, spontaneous moments where everything we went through this year pays off. These moments will stay with me and continue to encourage me to keep teaching. Why? Because I've never had a class that was so connected in such a kind and loving way. I have to think it's because of the roller coaster ride we were all on together.

The last day of school my littles had everything packed up. Their computers, their laptops, their little wrinkled up and loved art projects, their name tags, their take home books and their lunch boxes. The kinders looked like they would topple over any second from their oversized backpacks that held their year, both physically and no doubt emotionally.

While we were eagerly watching the clock for the bell to ring something happened. I had never seen this something happen. The children began walking around and hugging each other one at a time, making sure to get to every classmate. There were, I love you's, I will miss you's, and you are my besties. I had 14 boys and six girls. The boys started the hug chain and didn't stop till they hugged every. single. one. of their classmates, and teachers. There were sad hugs, happy hugs, silly hugs (you know - where they try to push each other over - I felt like Hitler saying - we need to stop! Let's be safe! One person at a time!) But most of all, "I'm glad we had this year together" and "we did it" hugs. They didn't say those last two, but we all certainly felt it.

It will be a year we will never forget. A year of anxiety, stress, worry and frustration. And of little wonders. Dig deep, you will find them. And you will be forever changed by them. "It's the heart that really matters in the end." After all, that's why we became teachers.