Sitting behind a student last Friday, waiting for graduation to begin, I commented that next year it would be him down there. His belief – it will be bittersweet.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that this is the perfect word for a senior teacher as well. As I watched my students walk toward their diplomas and new lives, I found myself both excited for them but a bit sad that memories will be all I have for the years to come.As a teacher, I have always had to opportunity to see my previous students for a least another year as they move throughout high school. This is the first time I will not have that luxury. Now the end of the year is the end of high school for them.
But I am thankful for the memories and the year of their lives shared. As they move forward into a new arena, I hope that each finds the life dreamed and is willing to work diligently towards making it a reality, realizing both the positive and negative are a necessity toward adulthood – a bit bittersweet.
