So its official, I am no longer a student teacher.

Today was my last day at school with the kids and it was bitter-sweet as I am sure you expected. I spent the week out on field trips with a group of kids where we went to each of the six elementary schools that feed into the middle school to get students pumped about science and going to our middle school instead of the other one in town. Basically, I sat back and watched as kids did several different science experiments that they found or came up with and had been practicing all semester. The kids did awesome and it was fun to see them interact with the fifth and sixth graders that we hung out with. I wont mention the desk we burned a whole in, the rooms we filled with smoke and the smell of fried pickles, or the tables we stained with iodine. Ya, some interesting stories there but I will say this, I did everything in my power to prevent the previously listed damages and will simply say, "Ya, that's science for ya..."

It was a great week to be in the school a bit but not really in the classroom. I think it helped the kids transition out and back to their normal teacher. But today I was back with them. We spent each period listening to a few students present on their science experiments that they designed as part of a big at-home project and then we stuffed our faces with cake, cookies, dounts, pop, and other less-than-healthy items that they students bought and made for me. Its not like I really need a good reason to indulge but I will admit, all I wanted for dinner tonight was a salad. With as little calories, sugar, and fat as absolutely possible. I think I hit my sugar quota for the decade. It was AWESOME.

The food was great but getting to say goodbye and spend on last day with my students was good. I received a couple of cards and even a couple gifts and the students were very sweet today. I felt very appreciated and while that isn't why I am doing what I am doing, it sure feels good to have students react that way. I told my teacher about the cards and she told me to make sure I put them in my "Happy Box." She showed me her box, which is pink with little white polka dots, that has all the letters she has received from students, staff members, and parents that are encouraging that sit in the box and wait for the enevitable day when the walls come crashing down and she needs a reminder as to why she chose this rediculous profession in the first place. Don't worry. I have already begun forming ideas for my own "Happy Box." I have a feeling I will need those reminders too.

As for the future, it sounds like I will again be blessed with much more than I deserve. I haven't heard anything officially but my supervisor told me a little bird told her that the people at the high school that I interviewed with were very impressed with me. It sounds like things are moving in the right direction for me to take the science position over there in Feburary just as long as all the financial issues get ironed out and such. I will be sure to let you all know if I hear of anything final but in the mean time, its back to folding shirts at Old Navy. I wish I could say I was excited but I will settle for the fact that I am looking forward to having a paycheck again with so much enthusiasm it may kill me and I am incredibly thankful to have a job to go back to there. My bosses have been incredible to me so while going back is a little tough, I am very appreciative to even have a job.

So ya, its hard to put into words what it feels like to be ending such a monumental chapter in my life. Maybe it hasn't quite sunk in yet but I don't feel any different. Perhaps in a few days when  I am not waking up when it feels (and looks) like the middle to the night to shower and commute to school I will finally start to feel like I accomplished something great, like surviving... and making it look good. Until then, I am just winding down from the student induced sugar rush from today.

So if you havent yet, go grab a healthy salad and a slice of something sweet. Oh come on, think of it as a little celebration with me! I will keep ya posted on things so stay tuned.

Take care!