What a crazy couple of weeks home it has been! I want to update and remember all about my time transitioning back into American life, but until then I need to share what I'm thinking.
There are things that will always be with me; Africa memories, college experiences, family experiences and of course Peach Plains experiences. There are good things and bad things that come with every experience and some that make bigger impacts than others. But to be able to take the positive impacts and help them in my growth and learning is the only way I can see the positives of any negative experience.
My class in Grand Haven was amazing. They made me smile every day even on the rough days and I need to thank them for that. We went through a lot together; a lot that a first year COE student should never have to go through but we did and we came out on the other side stronger and closer. And while I was away I saw how much they cared and loved what I did with them. Their emails made me smile, and questions about what I was doing made their learning more hands on. And when I arrived back in their classroom just under a week ago unannounced to them I could tell the impact that I had made on them.
THE SURPRISE
I knew from pretty early on in the trip I wanted to surprise my 4th graders when I got home and I told my CT that when I emailed her upon returning home. She didn't really say if she was going to tell them or not, but I had a feeling they had no idea. While I drove to GH that day I had butterflies in my stomach, just like the first day I meet them all. It was surreal walking through the hallway and seeing all the familiar faces. I was hoping that none of my students were in the hallways and popped in to see some of my boys in the Resource Room. They were confused. When I walked to the end of the hallway and the door to Room 19 was closed I knew they were not expecting me. (See my CT rarely ever has the door closed.) I knocked and slowly opened the door. One student who was sitting in the Super Star desk started to get up to open the door and looked at me with the most confused look ever and the rest of the group turned around as I said Hello! Before I knew it 27 4th graders were running across the room surrounding me with hugs. The smiles and giggles were priceless. As I looked over to my CT I had to just smile and then broke away for a hug from her. It was one of the best days since I have been home hands down. They still have me smiling today as I write this.
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