“How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?”  ―  Dr. Seuss

It is late.  This post is a week late.  It’s late in the school year.  And it is just flat out a late hour.  I’m exhausted.  As many teachers are this time of year.  

My last post was just before Teacher Appreciation Week, and it got me reflecting on my own teachers over the years who were either great teachers, or just nice, haha, but perhaps not so great at the teaching part.

I did somehow learn to type (haha, how wonderfully 90s, it’s too bad this is not still a class, actually, since most students do lack basic computer skills) in Mr. Laird’s class, despite that I can only recall him chatting with students as he circulated.  

I thought my Junior American History teacher, Mrs. Kalonowski, was nuts as she acted out historic events, with herself playing each role.  It’s funny that a decade later I would be doing similar thing with literature in my own classroom.

Though my favorite, prickly as she was, is, I believe she still lives not too far away though she must be in her mid 80s by now, was Ms. Lachotta—Senior English.  Every bit as formidable as Faulkner’s Miss Emily, only without the homicidal tendency.  Her class was a well running clock, though she kept her classroom clock stopped—very Miss Havisham style—and no one ever dared to ask how much class time was left.  Hers was the only class that prepared me for college because she was the teacher with the most structure and the highest expectations.  She would hand out a syllabus every few weeks and when we walked in she didn’t need to say a word; we all just pulled out our syllabi, looked at the day’s agenda and got to work.  Ahhhh, the good ol’ 90s.

I am also reflective as some of my favorite students graduate this year.  One especially I have watched mature and grow since Freshman year, such a time of change on the horizon for so many.

Myself include as I have officially resigned from the district to raise our newborn son, who came early and caused this post to be late hahaha.  And who has caused me to be up at all sorts of late hours.  I am so blessed and excited for this new chapter.  I will certainly still continue to make my quality resources for my store, and I have plenty of lessons that are just waiting in the wings to be organized, so I’m excited to keep that up, too.  Though I may be a little slower since well, it’s late, and our son does not care about how late the time gets.

It’s an exciting time for sure. And I hope that sometime, 24 years from now (because I cannot believe I graduated high school 24 years ago…when my mom was my age I was 17!  My child is 11 days, haha) some of my former students will look back at some of the lessons and discussions we had and remember our classroom time just as fondly. 

There’s a free End of Term Reflection Handout in my Free Little Resource Library, if you need anything to get your students thinking as the year wanes.  You can find that linked below.

In the meantime, at least some in the Saints Hobbit Hole are managing to get sleep.  X)

Also…since it IS late, this isn’t edited so please forgive any glaring errors!

Happy Teaching!

M.D. Saints
Reading the Rapids
Liberty Dog Writing Co.