Each year as I reflect on what I'm thankful for I always
think of my students. They are and have always been a blessing to me, no matter
how hard the year may seem to be. I grow to love them individually and grieve
deeply when they leave my classroom in May.
Each of them holds a very special place in my heart for
different reasons. I want to take a moment and describe to you how they have
blessed me.
Sidenote: I like to give my students nicknames, most of them
are naturally given because of the nature of their name, others morph from
personalities or personal requests. I make sure that I stress to them that I
give them nicknames because I care for them and want them to feel special. But
at any time they need to make sure they tell me if they do not like their
nicknames. AND I also make sure that the rest of my students know that they are
not allowed to call them these nicknames unless they have permission from the
student.
I’m Thankful for . . . .
Connor (dimples)
– what a sweet boy!!! I was privileged to be his kindergarten teacher and I’m
so happy to be able to spend some more time with him in 2nd grade.
He brightens my day with his smile. He looks just like my son and so I call him
Rhett’s twin sometimes. It’s our little joke! His voice only knows one sound –
loud! All I have to do is give him “the look” and he knows to knock the noise
level a few notches. He works hard and is a great friend to others, so thankful
for him!
Cache (Danny
boy) – This young man is a treasure. He makes sure he says something to me each
morning, loves to try and scare me (hasn’t worked yet J) and is very competitive. He is
always involved in some sporting activity at recess – I just hope he remembers
his teacher when he is playing in the NFL (maybe I could score some free
tickets or something). I love his honesty – he would rather be working with his
dad then at school but I’m so thankful that he still comes and works hard. He
is eager to please and help when I need it. Great kid! So thankful for him!
Tyler (Ty) – He
cracks me up!!! His quirkiness is unmeasured and I never know what to expect of
him each day. Whether it’s a random dance move while he’s making his way back
to his desk, stripping his shirt off (completely off) after recess and running
back outside (without a shirt) in the rain because he was embarrassed or a
crazy stretch or strange comment in the middle of a lesson – he always keeps me
smiling (or laughing). I love how he gets my humor and I can be completely
sarcastic with him and he just smiles. His laugh makes me laugh. He is a joy
and I’m so glad he is in my class this year – I’m thankful for him!
Tiffany (Tiff) –
such a quiet, calm spirited girl! She puts me at ease each day with her relaxed
demeanor. I can ALWAYS count on her to behave, help ANYONE without complaining,
listen attentively and do her best. She is a model student and her adorable
smile will light up any room. Having conversations with her is so enjoyable,
she will just quietly talk and she delights in the cutest things. I’m so
grateful that she is in my class this year. I’m thankful for her!
Cody (Codeman)
– Ummmm….. He is quite a character. This kid is so funny – on purpose. He is
sarcastic and crazy and I LOVE it! He makes me and everyone else laugh daily.
He is extremely blunt and will tell you exactly how he is feeling. I also love that even though he is funny he
is also responsible and respectful and works hard in class. Our class would be
rather dull if Cody were not in it. He is a bright spot in my life each day.
Thank you Cody for making me your 2nd best J
- I’m so thankful for him!
Caitlyn (Blondie)
– This sweet girl came to school a little late but am so thankful that she was
placed in my classroom. She is truly a joy! She gets along well with everyone
and never hesitates to give me hugs. She knows one speed and that is fast. She
accomplishes her tasks way before everyone else but no because she is
competitive, she is just – fast! She is kind and behaves in class. I enjoy her
sweet spirit and her cute smile. I’m so thankful for her!
Brandon
(Cowboy/Bran) – This kid is so much fun! He always comes to school with a smile
and makes sure he talks to me as he enters the classroom. He is never afraid to
give me a hug. He randomly says things that make no sense but are so funny! He
tries to sneak into my classroom 007 style but I always catch him in the act.
He makes me laugh every day. I have a difficult time getting him into trouble
because of his smile – it’s constant! He is a very fun kid! I LOVE having him
in my classroom. I’m thankful for him.
Courtney E. (Court) –
This sweet girl with the gorgeous eyes is a bright spot to my day. She is my
quiet, calm daydreamer of a girl who also has a very fun social side to her. Sometimes
she will come up to me and ask me what she is supposed to be doing – I have to
giggle inside because I think I was just like that as a child(zoning out during
direction time), but I didn’t have the guts to ask the teacher what to do, so
she’s more bold than I was J. She works hard, helps others is kind and
respectful and a great friend to everyone. I’m so thankful that I was able to
be her teacher this year. I’m thankful for her!
Jaxen (Jax) –
This kind boy is such a great helper!!!! I’m so grateful to have someone like
him in class because he always catches things that I haven’t done and politely
asks if he can help me complete them. I really don’t know what I would do without
him (forget a lot of my duties– that’s what!) He is one of those kids that you
know without a doubt will have a great future! He is kind, polite, honest,
trustworthy, loyal, hard-working and intelligent. Words can’t express how
grateful I am that he was placed in my classroom. I’m thankful for him!
Kate (Kate the
Great) – This sweet giggle girl was also one of my former kindergarteners. She
is so sweet and her smile is contagious. She is always well behaved and a
friend to everyone. Her giggle is so cute and I can’t help but laugh when I
hear it. She enjoys chatting and loves telling me all about her life. She is
learning to play the fiddle and I can’t wait to hear her play it. I’m so
thankful for her!
Melina (Mel) –
Another one of my former kindergarteners. She holds a special place in my
heart. She is my shadow, probably my #1 fan – and who doesn’t like that? She
smiles constantly (except when she can’t do something quite right) and laughs
at everything and everyone. Her silliness brightens my day and I’m so grateful
that I get to be her teacher again. She is kind and respectful and is a very
strict rule-follower. I’m thankful for her!
Courtney J. (CJ)
- This sweet girl is always eager to
please. She ALWAYS makes sure that she tells me when she’s done her best and
when she has behaved in other classes. She is very hard on herself and likes
things to be just right. When she grasps a concept it brings joy to my heart.
She is a great addition to this classroom. I’m thankful for her!
MaKinzie (Mak) –
This girl is just a sweetheart! She is also a former kindergartener of mine and
works really hard every day. She listens attentively and is kind and generous
to others. I can always count on her to help out. I love that she does not get
upset when she doesn’t get her way. She graciously deals with it and moves on –
what a great quality to have J I’m
thankful for her!
Hannah – (Hannah
Banana) – This girl makes me smile. She is kind, matter of fact, my social
butterfly. She would talk to me all day long if I would let her. She is very
good at speaking in front of the class and doesn’t shy away or act nervous.
Sometimes I want to go with her to the places she visits in her mind during
class. I’m sure it’s a lot more interesting than 4+4!!!!! She is always good to
come right back to us though, as I giggle inside – I’m thankful for her!
Lucas (Big L)–
This boy amazes me! He works super hard (when he wants to J) and is very bright. Learning how
to read was difficult for him but he persevered and is getting to be not just a
good reader but a great one – way to go buddy! I’m so proud of this kid! AND if
any of the NFL teams are looking for an exceptional kicker I know of one and he’s
in my 2nd grade class. This kid can really kick a football! I’m so
glad I get to be his teacher again – I’m thankful for him.
Grant (G) – He is
my giggle monster. Sometimes he will giggle at something that I say that I didn’t
intentionally mean to be funny. I also had him in kindergarten and I remember
thinking, “Does this kid really think I’m that funny?” I’m glad he thinks I am though – what a day
brightener. He lags around when the recess bell rings just to make sure I might
possibly let him stay inside and hang out instead of going to recess. He LOVES
math and would probably do it all day if I let him. I’m so glad that he
actually listens to my math lessons. This year in math has been a challenge! So thankful that I get to be his teacher
again! I’m thankful for him!
Charlize (Charlie) –
There are not enough nice things to say about this girl. She is just amazing! I
was so impressed with her when I was her kindergarten teacher and now as her 2nd
grade teacher I am glad she hasn’t changed. She is a hard worker, a kind and
intelligent girl who is always willing to help others. When she talks, whether
it’s reading or just talking she goes into super speed, I enjoy listening to
her chatter on. I’m so thankful for her!
Kinzy (Kinz) – This
girl is one in a million! She strives to do her best in everything that she
does and if her best isn’t good enough she may get upset. She has such a kind,
sweet spirit and is such a great friend to everyone in class. She LOVES to chat
with me and could probably entertain me with stories and questions all day long
if I would let her. She is a treasure and I’m so thankful that she was able to
be in my class this year. I’m thankful for her!
Camron (Cam or
a.k.a. Justin Bieber J) – This young
man is new to Melba this year and I have to say I am glad that he was placed in
my classroom. We had a few months where we were getting used to each other but
now that we’ve found our groove we get along great! I am very impressed with
how quickly he is learning and he tries to be Mr. Funny Man in class. I’m so
glad that he is willing to work hard, and I can’t wait to see how much more he
will learn this year. I’m thankful for him!
KeyLee (Kiwi) –
What a helper!!! This girl will literally jump out of her seat to help someone
or do something for me, even without me asking her to. She is pure joy and is
one of the happiest kids I’ve ever met. She smiles ALL the time, is kind and
polite to all her classmates, enjoys laughing and goofing off and works hard
when she’s supposed to focus! I’m so thankful for her!
Manuel (Manny) –
This sweet boy is one of the most quiet, calm and polite kids I’ve ever met. He
sits sweetly in class, participates when he’s comfortable, is always on task
and does his best to make sure I’m pleased with him. He will help anyone at anytime
and is kind to everyone. His smile makes my day that much brighter! So thankful
for him!
Diego (D or “Go
Diego Go!) - This young man is so much
fun! He constantly tries to trick or scare me – once by hiding underneath ALL
of the backpacks and then jumping out (almost got me there). He is a treasure
of a kid – polite, kind, respectful, hard worker, friend to everyone. I know I
can count on him for anything! I’m thankful for him!
SO – now that you are ALL jealous that you don’t get to spend
your days with these amazing 22 students you can see how thankful I am to have
them be a part of my life this school year. I think about them, worry about
them, work on how I can be a better teacher for them ALL the time! I hope you
all had a fantastic Thanksgiving!!!!
Thank you for blessing me with your children – I’m thankful
for you (the parents) as well! All you do to help your child at home makes my
job at school that much easier! You are truly appreciated!
