I cannot believe that this summer has come to an end. This week was probably one of the most emotional weeks of my entire life. This week we continued our discussion about racism and also discussed the metaphors and similes that can be hidden within the lyrics of a simple pop tune.

My favorite lesson I taught this week was probably the racism and writing day as well as the letter-writing day. On Monday I decided it would be in our best interest to spend fifteen minutes finishing up the slavery stations from Friday and then discuss the definition of Prejudice, Racism and Color Blindness. The students were surprised that there are many individuals in this world who have come to the conclusion that racism simply does not exist within the United States anymore. They were also fascinated by a short clip I showed of Ruby Bridges who was one of the very first African American students to be placed in an all-white school. In fact, when I asked my students on the very last day to tell me one interesting fact they had learned this semester, almost all of them wrote down the name Ruby Bridges.

On Tuesday I taught my students how to properly format a friendly letter and then they were required to answer specific prompts while writing to one of the teachers at Summerbridge and asking them questions. This turned out to be an excellent activity. Not only were the students excited to write to one of their teachers, but the teachers were excited to receive their letters. I had each teacher write a letter back to their student, and I delivered these letters the following day. This was just another way for the students to connect with their teachers on a personal level before we said goodbye.

The last day I walked into the school, I felt like a different person. I had entered Sewickley Academy feeling nervous and apprehensive due to the fact that this was my first time working with middle school students. I was unsure as to whether my classroom management techniques would work, and I was trying to find the balance between being a teacher and being a friend. As we greeted the buses in the morning for the very last time, I felt accomplished. I had become a teacher in just six weeks and had learned so much in the process. The last day was filled with many emotions. Many of the students cried as they signed my shirt and my yearbook. It was the day I never wanted to end. Sadly, though, all good things must come to a close.

As I waved goodbye to the students for the last time and ran beside the buses as they were pulling out, I had tears streaming down my cheeks. I hadn’t just been their teacher, I had been their mentor, their friend and their counselor. We had taught these kids, we had eaten breakfast and lunch at the same table and played with them at recess. The secret ingredient to Summerbridge Pittsburgh was love.

I am a more mature individual now that I have been through the Breakthrough Collaborative experience. I want to do so much more with my degree than I ever thought possible. I know what it feels like to fail, but I also know what it feels like to succeed. I have experienced countless teachable moments and all of them will be forever ingrained in my memory. I could not have asked for a better teaching experience before my senior year. I wish everyone was able to experience something like this in their lifetime.