What happened at the end of this school is just heartbreaking for just about everyone. It's not the ending we would have hoped for, it's not what anyone wanted and for some-and ending was never even really an option. When the world stopped...so did school. I count my lucky stars I was able to continue this journey with my beautiful students until the end. I am thankful that my school had the resources to pass out computers, to set up a virtual instruction platform online and to be proactive even though our heads were spinning when we received the news we would not be going back. I will absolutely never forget this year for many reasons. It was my fifth year of teaching. It was my largest class with 25 students. It was the KINDEST group of families and students I have ever witnessed. In fact, I think with many families, I formed even closer bonds because of our unique ending. It was the year where I had the most students from different countries. I heard students learn a new language in real-time and what a beautiful thing that is to see. It's almost like watching a flower open up day by day. Amazing. It is the group that will most likely have me crying the hardest. However, I seemed to have cried so much throughout the process that I don't think I have the capacity right now to actually cry right now. It was a year of realizing that yes academics are important but a HUGE reminder of how important building relationships is. With 25 students, building relationships and getting to know every student takes up a lot of time. You know what, though? That's what the students will remember. Test scores don't matter. In fact, I wish every year we could just have those tests erased for good. Perhaps then, we would actually focus on building up beautiful citizens instead of students who can fill in multiple choice questions correctly. It's a wake up call. For all of us.

Below is my last email out of 90 emails (I counted) that were sent to my parents. A new one each day and then clarifying emails along the way.

Dear Families, 

It really does seem like just yesterday we left school and begin this virtual adventure together. I will never be able to say it enough, but I had the most beautiful, generous, kind and amazing students and families this year. Every day was a reminder of how blessed I am. Without your support, I would not have made it through the failed internet connections, the humorous disconnections and so much more. Despite the turmoil, we were still able to laugh together (at times cry together), learn together and gain patience most of us probably never knew we had. I will, no doubt, be teary eyed tomorrow as I think about just how much was learned this year (not only academically) but unique life lessons and teachable moments that I certainly will carry in my heart forever.

As Charlie Mackesy says it best, “Always remember you matter, you're important and you are loved, and you bring to this world things no one else can.”

If anything, I hope each of my students realize now that despite an unforeseen pandemic and difficult times surrounding us, love absolutely and always endures. We loved one another, we supported eachother and the light sure did shine through. As always, I will conclude my final email with 25 unique lessons I have learned from each of my students. They are simply beautiful humans and just a reminder to me of how much hope there still is in the world. Their kindness, their loving hearts and their willingness to help one another is what made this year just so unique. I do laugh a bit when I hear teachers say, "Well this was probably the worst teaching year of my career." I can honestly and sincerely say-this was by far one of my favorite years as a teacher and it is because of the beautiful students I had inside my classroom.

So to all of my students..

Ethan K- thank you for always reminding me that every "issue" should be replaced with a sense of humor

Carly- that the simplest of things "pizza" can bring some of the largest smiles

Delaney- Push yourself to climb new mountains, go one new adventures and see the world in a different way.

Chloe- a quiet, internal flame is sometimes the best kind

Alexander- it is the connections we make with others that create unforgettable teachable moments

Parker- we all have the capacity to be better and kinder people

Elijah- you can always be the light in someone else's day that reminds them to be better and do better

Brady- sometimes the quietest type of leadership is truly the best kind

Rebecca- shying away from questions only means you are shying away from the world

Kieran- it's okay to realize that sometimes we learn the best when we let loose and laugh. Life doesn't always have to be so serious

Uriah- Sometimes just waking up with a smile is that one thing we can do to have a wonderful day

Emelyn- People may forget what you did, but they will never forget how warm you made them feel

Alana- A personality that blossoms allows others to blossom, too

Cam- We are all capable of having fidelity, bravery and integrity

Layla- The only thing we can truly ever ask of ourselves is to do our very best in life

Valyn- we can only ever ask ourselves to be just that..ourselves

Barbie- Finding your voice is just so important in this world

Maeve- Hope is the thing that runs through the field- and gallops through the beautiful trees

Maddy Kooser- we must wake up each day eager to be better than the day before

Ethan Wirt- never forget to stop, slow down and remember the beauty that is around you

Zixuan- a little hug can cause a ripple through the world

Tyler- an artistic soul and a creative spirit will paint the world in a more beautiful way

Jinjin- above all else, persistence is key

Malak- The kindness in one's heart is something that cannot be misplaced

Umar- A smile is receiving the greatest gift of all