You might not think of it now, willing the minutes to crawl at a less glacial pace at the end of a long school day at the end of a long school year.
But one day not too far off, you and this group of students won’t be together in this classroom.
If you plan to quit teaching, this can be a revelation of relief. But I find even in my most difficult years as an educator, I’ve gathered up and held onto a few bright rays of the most heartwarming, positive kind.
Each tough situation was lined with a glimmer of something precious– as is usually the case when surrounded by children.
Even if leaving teaching imparts a range of complicated emotions, I hope you can single out and savor the best of them. Which is why I recommend creating a simple system for preserving your favorite classroom memories.
This could include any type of student correspondence– their informative and adoring letters, abstract or pointedly accurate teacher portraits, handmade cards, a noteworthy scrap of paper on which a difficult-yet-loveable student scrawled “i hate u.”
It’s up to you which artifacts to retain.
I recommend designating a large three-ring binder for this collection. Get some sheet protectors and slide each paper memory into its own plastic sleeve. Store your Happy Classroom Scrapbook within easy access.
On a not-so-far-off day in the future, maybe when you’re doubting your career decision or left wondering if those classroom years had impact, you can reach for your curated repository of greetings, fan mail and illustrations.
When those artists and writers and senders grow and go on to new stages and places and you’re growing and going, too, you can remember the effect of your instruction and interaction, your day-in and day-out care for these young people. You have some physical reminders of a rich, rewarding, far-from-perfect career.
Teachers and former teachers, let’s hear your thoughts: Do you save memorabilia like this?
