Valentine's Day Memories

When I was in grammar school Valentine's Day was such a big event. Usually a big decorated box in the front of the classroom held all the cards until time to pass them out.

When I first started teaching students would decorate individual boxes and place them on their desks to receive valentines. In later years we would make holders in class and attach them to lockers for decoration and for the big day.

This was a sweet student standing by my chalkboard message about valentines.

Oh, the many times I enjoyed Valentine's Day with my students!

A Look Back

This morning I had a friend request on Facebook. I clicked on the message that had been sent to me at the same time. It was from a former student of mine. Our paths crossed in 1973. Her kind remembrances of me and fourth grade made my day. She expressed how it seemed so long ago and yet also seemed like yesterday.

 

I can't help but wonder what became of these individuals. Did their dreams and plans for the future come true? I hope so.

 

I know some of my own dreams did not go according to plan , but new ones took their place.  

 

 

From Paintings to Playgrounds

Yesterday I had a tough time deciding what to do about a Goodwill find. There was a painting that I liked but didn't love. Six dollars was so reasonable for this piece of art. I will live with it for awhile...may decide later to take it to the antique store.

   
Today I finished a set of tags for a young girl named Kaitlyn. Last month I mailed a set to Ericka. Making tags is still one of my favorite things to do.

I remember when I first started teaching that jumping rope was a favorite activity at recess. Sometimes I would even jump with them. Of course, I was in my twenties back then. Sweet memories of a different time when dodge ball, kickball, jungle gym climbing, and jumping rope to rhymes were popular.    

Surprises

Everybody likes surprises...the good kind, that is. Today I had a really good surprise in the mail. A student I had taught in 2000 wrote me a wonderful letter. She shared memories of her third grade year with me. She mentioned poems, journal entries, and composition books. She's a senior now, and in her English class an assignment was made to write a letter to a past teacher. Her reasons for choosing me had me beaming and crying. It was great to read about her life since third grade and to learn that she's going to major in elementary education. She asked if I would like to keep in touch, and of course, I was more than happy to write her this very afternoon. Yesterday I spoke of spring colors as spirit-lifters. Well, this piece of mail has lifted my spirits to new heights!

First Week of School...a glimpse back

my first class of fourth graders

70-71

retirement plaque

a printer's drawer that I filled with mementoes


a stitched message from a dear student

another keepsake from a sweet student

This plastic apple stayed with me all through the years. Many a student handled this apple that sat on my desk. You can hear chunks of old pencils rattling around inside.

That first week of school...greeting your new students, meeting parents, explaining procedures, introducing subjects, and much more...I remember it well. I loved my chosen profession but realized when it was time to make an exit. I witnessed so many changes in education over my thirty year career. There are continuing changes in education and other fields. Life is certainly all about change. Sometimes there is excitement and joy, and at other times heartache and loss. Acceptance is a lesson well learned.