When the news that one of your former students has passed away at the age of 15 really sinks in, there is sadness but there is such joy in remembering a child, who you realize, was 100% an angel here on earth.

My first year of teaching (anyone's first year of teaching) is memorable for so many reasons. You don't know what you are doing, you are exhausted and yet there is such an innocence about that first year such that (in my opinion) I was my best ,most purest form of myself. There are no expectations and there isn't time for negativity and when that last day rolls around, if you have poured every ounce of your being into that group of students, you realize for the first time just how emotional it is to say goodbye. Watching butterflies fly away is beautiful and yet sorrowful. 

My last day of school that first year I was an absolute mess. I had invited my mom to come greet my classroom, and I think deep down I knew that the goodbye was going to be hard. The entire classroom was crying. Even two of my students who always had smiles on their faces had tears rolling down their cheeks (and Tanner was no exception.) As he watched his best friend receive an award and also realized he was traveling on to Middle School, they embraced and Tanner had tears running down his cheeks with his smile. Honest to goodness, it was the first time I ever saw a child cry because of the joy and intense friendship within another. That's just how special Tanner was. He was that kind of angel. 

Tanner was a spitfire. He never let his limitations prevent him from being a powerhouse in terms of his spunky personality, his sense of humor, love of learning and friendships within the classroom. His laughter is forever etched within my heart. I not only had Tanner as a first-year teacher but he was also a memorable part of my student teaching experience. His ability to look at life with a laugh and a freckled smile were just some of his most beautiful qualities. Tanner was almost never in a bad mood. He brought out the best in the teachers that worked with him and his peers who were lucky enough to be in his presence. He treated absolutely every day like it was his last and his family made sure that every day was heaven here on earth. He loved his sister Mia (who he talked about often),  his parents and of course his grandparents. 

Tanner was a reminder of how beautiful life is, how precious the life of a child is and the fact that we don't have enough time here on earth to do anything except smile and love those around us. Thank you for creating magic, Tanner and for teaching me how to love so very deeply. 

Until we meet again. 

-Mrs. Amoscato