What a beautiful year it has been. I have enjoyed working with each and every one of your students as they have discovered their passions and their talents. We have climbed mountains, crossed seas and we are now ready for fourth grade!

 As a teacher of four years in third grade, I can honestly say I have never had a group of students gel and come together as a family as easily as our special group of students this year. Each came with their own strong personalities; their own set of talents, treasures and leadership skills. I have never laughed harder than this year. In fact, there was certainly a few times where we all laughed so hard we had tears streaming down our faces. There was certainly never a lack of kindness, personality or good wit, and I think this is something that made this year so very special to me.

 Third grade (as you now know) is not an easy year. Students are expected to learn responsibility, remember their homework, learn to analyze and comprehend complex literature, solve complex math problems, understand the global complexities of the word and participate in a variety of partner and group projects in the sciences. It is our very first testing year, the first year for actual letter grades and so many other firsts that it can seem overwhelming at times. However, I think for this reason, third grade is one of my favorite grades I have had the pleasure of teaching. Because somehow, in the midst of one of the biggest transitional years where students learn what it means to be a scholar, each and every one of them also find out so much about themselves. In third grade, students realize the importance of kindness, they recognize empathy and they begin to develop their own personality and sense of being. I must say, amongst all the other grades and progress reports and rigorous academics, this is THE most important transition that happens within third grade –the understanding that I am part of a huge world, but what I do can make a difference right now. I am important. I am unique. I am special. Yes academics are important, but first and foremost we must learn how to be good people.

Within these months of laughter and learning, I have learned 21 very important lessons from each of my students that I wish to share with you in the hopes that you will place these lessons in your pocket when you need them the most.

• Having a vibrant sense of humor is what spreads love -Theodore
• It is important to find confidence in who you are and stick to it – Bella
• Passing along a brilliant smile is even better sometimes than passing along words – Luke
• What we write down should always come from deep within our heart – Tuuli
• A positive leader is not always the loudest one – Max
• Those who speak from the heart spread kindness the furthest – Jonathan
• Embracing the world’s hidden treasures and knowledge creates a powerful citizen- Cameron
• Supporting and assisting others creates a beautiful environment – Ella
• Cheering for others is far more important than cheering for ourselves- Chloe
• Sharing our stories is what life is all about – Benjamin
• Finding strength from within creates a grit that cannot be broken-Sarah
• It is not a common language but a common heart that brings us together – Blas
• With perseverance you can run towards your dreams as quickly as you wish-Alex
• Those who never give up can move mountains – Krisha
• The greatest leaders empower others- Maren
• The biggest dreamers are also the biggest doers-Harshan
• Revealing the hidden parts of ourselves is one of life’s greatest treasures- Jacob
• The slowest and most thoughtful individual truly does win the race- Slade
• With imagination and a creative spirit, you can paint the world the way you want to paint it – Juliet
• We are all called to be innovators of our dreams- Purv
• Those with the happiest souls will create a ripple of happiness wherever they travel- Jordan

These 21 students I have had this year are wise beyond their years. I have learned more from them than they have learned from me. These lessons I will continue to carry in my pocket and share with my future students for years to come. I am forever thankful for their kindness, joy and beautiful memories we have shared together.

 I do have one final quote I wish to share with you. It is a beautiful message and one I vow to follow for every year I teach (whatever grade level I may find myself in.)

“Do not ask your children to live extraordinary lives. Such striving may seem admirable at first. However, it is not. Help them instead to find the wonder and the marvel of an ordinary life. Show them the joy of tasting tomatoes, apples and pears. Show them that it is okay to cry. Show them the infinite pleasure in the touch of a hand. And make the ordinary come alive for them. The extraordinary will take care of itself.” – William Martin

 It has been a sincere pleasure getting to know each and every one of your students and your beautiful families. Please know that once you are part of our 3A family, you will always be a part of our 3A family. My door is always open for visits, friendly hellos and listening ears if you should ever need anything. Thank you for making this ordinary year extraordinary. Your students were the ones that created the magic.

Love,

Mrs. Brianna Amoscato