congratulations class of 2009

Almost 9 years ago, I stepped into a classroom for the first time as a "real life teacher". The 2000-2001 school year was an incredible year for me! Difficult, but incredible! I had just moved hours and hours away from where I had lived for 22 years of my life to a place that was unknown to me in every way. Thankfully, I was able to live with my aunt and uncle and had at least one place of refuge.

I love these kids!! I was single and had all the time in the world for them. It was a very small Christian school, so my class had only 11 students and most all of them had been together since Kindergarten. Looking back, I am so thankful for the experience with those 7 {very rowdy} boys and 4 {very sweet} girls. One of the mom's of one of my students had said that I was the first teacher that she actually had felt "fit" with these students. Talk about making me cry! It was tough to leave, but by June I was ready to go back home!

I've kept in touch a little with a couple of my students from that first year and one of those students is actually writing and performing music and has a CD (and yes, she is only a senior in high school!) She is a beautiful girl inside and out with so much talent and passion for sharing the message of Jesus. AMAZING! You must check out her music HERE.

Today, June 6, 2009, this class graduated from high school.

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The following year, I taught 5th grade at a new school closer to "home sweet home" where I would continue to teach for the next 4 years. What another incredible experience for me! This school was also a private Christian school, but one that was much larger with 2-3 classes of each grade (not just one). With being able to teach at a smaller, private school I was able to build a strong bond not only with my students, but also their families. Throughout my teaching career at Portland Christian, I was able to have siblings in my class at various years, so some of the families I was really able to get close to. And, even after leaving, I still keep in contact with some of the families and we still exchange Christmas cards. I love it!


Last Saturday, I was able to attend the Class of 2009 Portland Christian graduation. It was such a special thing to be able to witness my first class(es) I had taught graduate. Talk about feeling old!!

For the students that were still a part of Portland Christian, I created and gave each one of them a special little "memory" from me.

{click on picture to view larger}

{Graduation Day - May 30, 2009}

Every now and then, I miss teaching, but staying at home with these little sweethearts is where I'm meant to be at this time in my life.

{Ah, now this is the life.}