Thank you my students for making this day of my life unforgettable. It's memorable not because they had surprise me with foods & drinks on my table but because of the way they made me feel. In that moment, my whole existence in this world suddenly appreciated. It all made sense. When I look at my students, I don't just see kids sitting on their chairs. I see so much more. I see them as my younger siblings. And I see them as the future of this world. That's probably why I feel such a deep connection with them.
I used to always think that I didn't like being around children. But now that I'm actually practicing the teaching profession, I've come to a huge realization. I love them as if they were my own family members.I can see my younger self in them. I don't just want to be their teacher. I really want to be their friend too. I want to be someone they can trust, someone they can come to with their problems and their joys.
They keep messaging me on Facebook, and every single one of those messages just melts my heart. I don't know how to respond to each of them because I am overwhelmed. I've always celebrated my birthday in silence. Without letting anyone know it's my birthday. But now, it's kinda different to my ordinary birthday.
I was having my classes in the other grade sections when I decided to get my laptop. When I returned to the classroom where I stayed at, my advisory class sang to me a happy birthday. My heart is overjoyed by how sweet they are to me. I don't want to cry because I find it cringe in front of them. And then I saw this on my table, like I can't believe they have prepared something for me.
There was one cute girl in their class who bought me a milk tea. Now I have a cup of cola and milk tea on my table. I'm a bit shy because my cooperating teacher was beside me. I told her I'm confused about what to drink first. This pretty girl also gave me her bracelet as a remembrance, and I find it the sweetest thing that has ever happened on my birthday.
They are very affectionate to me. I am not used to it because I find it a little bit cringe. On my first day in their class, one student asked me for photos. I thought he meant group pictures, but he meant selfies. Now, every time I see him in class, he's a little awkward around me. I don't know why, but it's awkward for me too. I guess it's normal for kids to get a little infatuated with you when they admire you as a teacher. This kid is well-behaved and good-looking. I hope he grows up to be a good person. That's all I can say about him because we never talked once in person.
Now I am finding it hard to let go them.
They said do not feel attached to your students because there is a rotation every 3 weeks. But in this case, I feel like I am starting to get attachments with them. Also we already have a call sign so that's how we became get closer. If you are in my situation, you would feel the same way.
To my surprise, all the 7th grades I'm teaching knows that it's my birthday. So whenever I walk in the hallway, they'll greet and sang me a happy birthday. I don't know why but why do I feel like it's my last day. They said people will only love and appreciate you when you're dead but I'm thankful I feel that on my birthday.
This is the Grade 7-Cooperative section and just when I told them it's my last day of teaching them, they sang me a happy birthday. They also ask me to have a picture with them. All the sections I entered during my birthday sang me a song and requested a picture together. How can I forget this internship experience. It's not what I expected.
Bidding my farewell
Translation:
Hello, good evening everyone. Thank you again Grade 7-Courteous for the pizza and soft drinks on my birthday. I really appreciate it. I am happy to be part of your learning journey. I will never forget each of you. I also want to thank you Ma'am Kim, for guiding and evaluating me on my teaching journey. I am very grateful to all of you. Since you will have a different student teacher this Monday, may I ask for permission to leave the group chat everyone. God bless you in your studies and keep going. I am wishing you the best.
This is the saddest part of all. As much as I don't want to leave the group chat because part of me still wants to stay. I have no choice but to move forward and accept this as part of my learning experience. Maybe they will slowly forget me as time passes by so I should not get myself too attach to these students. Still, I will treasure the pictures and the memories we made in the short while. Life must go on for both of us. I will be teaching the MAPEH subject to my Grade 8 students, while they continue their studies in Grade 7. The truth is they have also been sad about this thing and told me to stay but that's life, kids. Everyone come and go. Life moves forward and not backwards. We will still see each other again and I hope you will all become successful later in life.
Sometimes the hardest part of the journey is saying goodbye.
Thanks again for joining me! I really appreciate you taking the time, and I look forward to connecting with you again soon.
~ Sydney ~
