I hope all of you are enjoying your summer thus far and much deserved rest after this academic school year. Though many of you have certainly heard through the grapevine, I will not be returning to Hartwood next year. I have accepted a job at the Falk Laboratory School for the next two years and then will be moving out of state for one year to follow my husband for his fellowship. The hope is that we will be back in Pittsburgh following his fellowship but we never really know where life may take us next!

 

From the bottom of my heart, I wanted to thank every single one of you for making my first seven/eight years of teaching absolutely magical. I know words will not be able to ever fully capture my sense of love and gratitude for Hartwood Elementary School, the families, children and staff, but I will certainly do my best!

 

My journey began in 2014, where I was placed in the whimsical classroom of Claire Walters. For all of those who know Claire, she is an exceptional teacher but honestly one of the most phenomenal mentors. She had this wonderful humor about her as I (on many occasions) would try not to nod off in the afternoons as I headed back down to Pitt for 3-4 hour-long evening classes. Claire's passion for writing, for teaching and finding humor in every student was absolutely contagious. We both cried at the end of my student-teaching placement, and I guessed I learned at that moment that tears are almost always an indicator that you have just experienced something so special that it is hard to say goodbye. Claire- thank you for what will always be one of the most beautiful half-years of teaching that I probably will ever experience in my career and cheers to continuing to live parallel lives where we lose absolutely everything we own. ;) 

 

With the help and encouragement of Claire and of course Dr. Fischbaugh, I found myself with a job after graduating from Pitt in May of 2015. I accepted my very first teaching position at Hartwood at the ripe age of 22. I'm eternally grateful for everyone who took a chance on me because looking back, I really did not know what I was doing. ;) Here I was underneath my favorite fifth grade teacher of all time, a true leader and visionary with the most passionate and spirited heart. Hartwood is blessed beyond measure to have a principal like Dr. Fischbaugh (but I think we all realize this.) Imagine my great surprise when I walked into an open room to fill out my paperwork and saw Evan Hertrick who had been my band student teacher when I was a junior in high school. I actually volunteer with Evan's dad quite often in the Northside of Pittsburgh (also an amazing soul.) Just one of many signs that I was meant to be exactly where I needed to be surrounded by the people I had always admired, loved and looked up to as a student. Both Evan and Rachel were two of the many reasons I found myself beginning this vocation as a teacher in the first place. Eternally thankful for both of you.  

 

The first year with my two colleagues (Lynn and Kathy) was adventurous to say the least. Actually, I remember during my student teaching these two individuals were wearing sunglasses during the staff photo (the only two), and I remember thinking who do these people think they are? When I found out it was them, I was initially terrified. However, I absolutely adored their humor, and they were constantly a reminder to me that even after thirty years of friendship, you can find a story just as funny as when it once happened. The two of them soon became my pseudo-parents, and I remained (and will always remain) their very proud and incredibly messy child. Lynn and Kathy are and always will be loving parents, excellent teachers and just all-around some of the most loyal and fiercely loving humans I will ever come across. It is not every day where you have three teachers with completely different teaching styles who manage to work together and still find humor in one another or help the other try to take off orange spray paint from the floor with gasoline. Nevertheless, that is a story for a different day. 

 

I will leave by saying that even on the most difficult days, there was never a day that went by at Hartwood where I did not feel deeply loved or supported by every teacher, colleague or staff member within the building. The families and students I had over the past seven years were always a reminder to me that humanity is beautiful, and you don't have to look far and wide to find acts of kindness and love. I loved every single student in my classroom as if they were my own and every single one of them taught me a new lesson that shaped me into a better human being. 

 

Hartwood was a place where I quite literally spent twelve plus hours a day in the beginning years of my career (summers included.) I would have gladly set up a bunk bed in my room and simply stayed overnight but that was never an option (thank goodness I suppose!) The excellent teaching I witnessed and the life lessons I learned from hearing about your children and your families, I will continue to carry within my pockets forever.  You are all the reason I continue to teach and wake up every day with joy in my heart and a passion to create something new. In case you are not told this enough, you are truly something special and bring talents to this world that no one else can. This I know to be true.  

 

For those of you who know me well, at the end of every academic year, I always send out an email with a lesson I learned from every single one of my students and their families. It is a way for me to reflect on the past year but also always live a life full of gratitude as I continue on my journey. So here goes nothing...

 

Judith- Thank you for your honesty and your brave heart. I adored your friendship, and I look forward to hearing all the amazing things you accomplish in the future. I'm so excited for you. 

Evan- You will always be one of my favorite teachers/mentors. Your students absolutely adore you and the love in your heart runs incredibly deep. I plan on coming back for every one of your concerts so please don't forget to send me the dates or I will hunt you down. (I will bring Judith.)

Claire- Thank you for being my lifelong mentor, friend and someone who always knew how to talk to my heart when it needed to be talked to. You are an absolute gift and your words of wisdom are always appreciated. 

Katie- Though I never got to teach beside you, I know you to be a gentle and kind soul. The students who had you as a teacher absolutely loved you. 

Meredith- Thank you for always saying hello in the hallways in the warmest of ways and for being an encouraging and welcoming soul during my student teaching placement. 

Moller- To this day, I'm still not quite sure why I call you by your last name and everyone else by their first. Nevertheless, your friendship has meant the world to me over the past few years. Your love of Duke and ALL things books, your passion for DEI and your constant random acts of kindness (such as delivering smiley cookies to others) captures your spirited heart. I apologize for losing so many library books. It is a true honor to be your friend. 

Megan- Thank you for your kindest questions you asked every morning such as "How are you doing?" "How was your weekend?" A reminder to me that just a simple question creates ripples of kindness.

Maria- Thanks for teaching me that in being a leader, having gumption is 100% necessary. I continue to look up to your very powerful voice!

John- Thank you for being a ray of sunshine on everyone's cloudy day. Just remember, that you deserve some of that sunshine, too. It is my hope that someone gives you the peace sign every so often in the hallway next year. Your humor was so very needed this year.  

Jen- Thank you for reminding all of us that we are never too old for a little Disney magic. It is the simple things in life that are the most magical. 

Amy- I cherished every morning walking in with you and talking to you while I was by the copier. Thank you for always having time for deep discussions and honest reflections. 

Courtney- As with Mrs. A, I loved our morning chats. You are a wonderful person (also with a great sense of humor) and Hartwood is so very lucky to have you. I could not have thought of a better way to start my day than a chat with you.

Christine- Your hard work and competitive spirit have never gone unnoticed. Thank you for always reminding me of the importance of grit (no matter how many soccer games you may be traveling to and from!)

Lea- Thank you for always instilling in your students a love of Target and most importantly for seeing them as the people they are and want to become. 

Kristen- I am still in awe every time I hear you talk about your children and everything they are doing. Thank you for reminding all of us that family does indeed come first and the years go by so very quickly. Cherish every moment. 

Lynn- Thank you for your word vomit. More importantly, thank you for being probably one of the most honest and loving people I know (and incredible teachers.) Thanks for teaching me to "ask for forgiveness later." 

Kathy- Thank you for quite literally coining the word "loyalty." You are the most loyal friend I think I have ever had (with the most sincere heart.) So thank you for reminding me that the truest friendships and relationships are those based on sincere love. 

Jacqueline- Thank you for your listening ear and positive spirit! Our world is in need of wonderful counselors such as yourself. You really have the power to change this world. 

Karina- I apologize for every time I jammed the copier while we were there together. Thank you for your bubbly personality and your warm good mornings! You truly are a superb teacher. 

Lisa- Thank you for always traveling to visit my classroom (every so often) at the end of the day as we were waiting for buses. Most importantly, thank you for being such a fantastic teacher. My mom has taught first grade for the past 27 years, and I know this is no easy feat. All you first grade teachers are incredible.

Helen & Kiera- Thank you for all you do to spread love and kindness each and every day. You probably have one of the most difficult jobs and both of you handle your vocation with integrity and grace. You are both appreciated and you are loved. 

Katherine- Thank you for always reminding me that a child and their well-being always come first and for loving every single one of your students with such gumption. You are an incredible educator, human and friend. Thank you for your listening ear and your advice over the years. I will forever be grateful for your mentorship and friendship. 

Ms. Tinik- Thank you for all you do. The year I had six different languages within my classroom, your expertise was so very appreciated. 

Ava- Thank you for being such a mentor to me. I have cherished every single one of our conversations we have had about life, faith, love, trust, hope, etc. You are a remarkable person and your wisdom runs deep. Thank you for always reminding me that what matters in life is quite simply faith and love. 

Diane- Thank you for always offering incredible insight and life perspective as well as your radiant smile and positivity. 

Audrey- Thank you for your mentorship as I took on the Summer Learning Academy Position and for always greeting me with a warm smile.

Katie- Your energy for running and teaching is incredible. You are certainly a force to be reckoned with, and I enjoyed our chats by the copier as well. 

Fran- Thank you for your kind words of encouragement (always) and your small stories about my messiness that truly made me chuckle. 

Terri- Thank you for your life chats and of course for your love and passion for teaching and reading. I could always count on you to become just as excited about a piece of literature as I was. Thank you for always seeing the good inside the hearts of all. 

Heather- Thank you for always saying a friendly hello in the mornings and for loving all of your students deeply. 

Senorita Taylor- You have one ridiculously difficult schedule, and you truly handle it with the greatest ease I have ever seen. My students absolutely loved your class this year and learning about different cultures. Thank you for giving your time and your heart and energy towards making language work every single year. 

Marci- Thank you for your laughter and your joy.

Jess- I appreciate your kind heart and all of your words of encouragement you have given me over the years (even when the days may have been a little rocky.) You are a creative and wonderful soul, and I hope that I will continue to receive Lucy pictures every now and again. Thank you for everything and your gum chewing. 

Erin- Thank you as well for your creative spirit, your hard work, energy and ability to bestow kindness onto others. You are constantly thinking of others and you have a way of rippling love and kindness around the building. 

Cheryl- Thank you for providing our students with the opportunity and the belief that they ALL can become artists of this world. Your patience is always something I admire. 

Dr. Jones- Thank you for always getting a huge "kick" out of my class and finding them just as entertaining as I do. I will miss your double-fisted coffee cups and your sense of humor and mathematical expertise. 

Rachel- From someone who loves music, I have enjoyed watching you create music makers over the past seven years. Music allows this world to be something so much brighter, and you are such a talent. 

Jodie- Thank you for always meeting every child where they are at. Your ability to always look for "growth" is something I appreciate and admire. 

Jim D. - All I have to say is, I am so sorry that my room was such a wreck. Just know that every paint mark, shaving cream spray, tape mark, permanent marker marks, were all made with incredible love. But honestly, thank you for your patience with me over the years and your sense of humor.  

Steph- You have a heart of gold and the patience of a saint. Thank you for your caring and loving spirit to create a more inclusive world. You are an incredible person. 

Nursing Staff: My goodness did we have a roller coaster year in my room. Nevertheless, we made it! Thank you all for your expertise and your unending patience, patience and more patience. You all deserve a gold star. 

 

Mrs. Brose and Patty- Well, you two know how special you are to me. Mrs. Brose, you were quite literally an angel given to me last year as we both tried to navigate my class in-person and online. I could never have completed that year without you, and I so appreciate your talents and your kindness. We laughed a lot and cried a lot!  Patty- you truly crack me up. Thank you for always seeing the good in every child and for providing a story that somehow always ends up with the entire third grade pod in tears (due to laughter.) Your second gig may be stand-up. I will attend for sure.  

 

 

Dr. Fischbaugh- All I can say is thank you. For many fifth graders who dream of becoming teachers one day, very few can actually say they worked under their FAVORITE elementary teacher of all time. Life certainly does have a way of coming full circle doesn't it? Thank you for believing in me, encouraging me to dream and always reminding me that nothing is ever impossible with a little grit and a little love. You will forever be my second mother (future fairy godmother) but first and foremost a life-changing mentor. You are one of the largest reasons why I became a teacher, and why I remain a teacher, and I will forever be your biggest fan. The impact you have made on me runs deep into my heart and cannot ever be explained in words. There is much work to be done, and I have no doubt we will continue to work together in the future no matter where we may be geographically. 

 

It is amazing just how many life events (some joyful and some sorrowful) can happen within a span of seven years. In so many ways, all of you helped "raise" me and shape me into the 30 year-old I am now. From graduating to getting married for the first time, finding my first apartment, going through my first car wreck (thank you for picking me up Dr. Fischbaugh) and everything in between, just know how blessed I feel to be able to take these lessons with me and hopefully teach them to my own children someday. 

 

This is not goodbye but just see you later. 

 

Thanks to ALL of you for EVERYTHING you do for families and students every single day. 

 

 

Please keep in touch. 

 

With all the love and respect in the world, 

Brianna

Bri

Breezy