View from the chair

End of year letter to my students…

Here we are. Three weeks away from summer. I am sure your minds are filled with all sorts of adventures you will have. Trips planned. Playdates. Staying up late. Swimming. Good old summer fun! Well, before you all leave I want to encourage you with this little note.

To the student with his nose in a book. Keep reading my quiet friend. Your reading is taking you places and teaching you amazing things. This knowledge will open your future! You have a love of learning. Keep that love and use what you learn for the greater good. With knowledge comes power. You are equipping yourself to be a powerful adult.

To the strong girls. Girls who are strong become women who are leaders. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for being a leader. Word of caution. Use your powers for good. There is a big difference between being boss and being bossy. Learn it early on. Use your skills to look out for the outcast and forgotten. Reach out a friendly hand. In doing so I guarantee you that others will follow your lead.

To my gaming boys. Keep on playing those games and coding. There is a real future in computer science. You could be the next Steve Jobs. The computer work is forever changing so learn to go with the flow now. Learn to adjust to new things. Most important don’t forget to power down every once in a while. There is a whole 3-dimensional world out there. Get out in the sun and interact face to face with people.

To my sports kids. Always play for the love of the game. You have amazing skills on the court and the field. Remember where you came from though. You were the new kid once. The kid who did not know how to hold a bat or kick a ball. Teach those under you and around you. Share your gift. Continue to build on your talent but remember sportsmanship trumps skill. No one likes a poor winner or a sore loser. Just like on the field, when you get knocked over in life get back up and get into the game. In reverse, if you knock someone over…help them up! You may go on to play professionally or might end up coaching your child’s team. Remember, both roles have little eyes watching you!

To the few on the outside looking in. I too was that girl who never fit in. I found my true circle of friends in college and at summer camp. School may seem like your whole world right now but I promise you it does get better. Stay true to who you are and keep doing what you are doing. Your value does not lie in how others see you. Square your shoulders and keep being you. You will find your crew, your tribe, your group of people whom you can laugh with and grow with. Elementary school, middle school, and even high school…this is not the end all. There is a whole big world needing you to be you!

To the one who struggles with school. You are amazing. Your intelligence does not equal your grades. You see the world through different eyes. Eyes that can create and imagine. Eyes that can figure out how things work before even touching anything. Hands that can build and repair. A brain that processed differently but it does not make you less smart. Keep working hard. Keep creating. Keep designing.

To my performers. All the world is a stage! The world needs to hear the song in your heart and the story in your head. You may find yourself on the fanciest stage or small community theater. Regardless, keep performing. Stay humble and stay true to yourself. Do not compromise who you are for fame and fortune.

So as I say goodbye, you have taught me so much and made me laugh a great deal. Each one of you has your own gifts to bring to the world. Use those gifts for the Glory of God. Remmeber…reward comes with hard work. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Lastly, regardless of where life takes you to remember you once had a teacher that loved you very much!

27 Comments

  1. Your finally paragraph tells me what an amazing teacher you must really be. I love how you really see all your kids! Great post! ? #BloggerClubUK

    1. beachchairtracy

      They are a good class. I teach in a small private school so I am able to really push them. I will miss them but they know they can stop in and say hi anytime!

  2. A wonderful letter – I taught 9th grade for 10 years– you need to send them this in their Senior year! (shared)

  3. what a great post and so inspiring. we need more teachers like you.
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  4. Ahh I love this! What a fab class they sound, and what an amazing teacher you are! #coolmumclub

  5. This is such a gorgeous letter I love in particular the part which is addresses to those on the outside looking in and those struggling at school. They should really read those words. Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub with this! x

  6. This is beautiful! Thanks for being someone who truly cares about students and invests in their lives! Visiting from #DestinationInspiration. 🙂

  7. What an encouraging letter to your students!! Everyone needs a teacher like you! Thank you for loving on your kids, and looking beyond their failures, and believing in their futures! What a gift!

  8. That’s so lovely and inspiring. It sounds like you’re a wonderful teacher! #ThatFridayLinky

  9. Wow, you sound such a supportive teacher. Your pupils are so looking to have someone that cares X #pocolo

  10. What a beautiful thing to do for your students Thank you for linking to #Thatfridaylinky please come back next week

  11. What a special teacher you are! Your students are blessed to have you. Now, my note to you: “From one (retired) teacher to another, go forth, rest, kick your heels up, spend time in His Word and be blessed. Well done, you good and faithful servant!” Hugs to you!

    1. beachchairtracy

      I am looking forward to a nice summer break! Time to refresh! Thank you!

  12. What a lovely letter, I bet you will be sad to see them go! Thanks so much for sharing with #Blogstravaganza xx

  13. Mother of 3

    Aw, this is so sweet it brought to tears to my eyes and gave me chills (in a good way!). Your students are lucky to have you as a teacher. #familyFunLinky

    1. beachchairtracy

      Thank you! I have great kids!

  14. So inspiring. I have teenage sons who are going through exams at the moment. Everyone has a talent and so much emphasis is placed on academic achievement. Thanks for sharing #triumphanttales

  15. Vicky

    What a lovely letter to your students!! Such lovely words for them to take away and brilliant advice. #fortheloveofblog

  16. Wow! I can tell how awesome a teacher you are! These children are very lucky, and I can see, you know you are too! This note is the perfect example of why teachers should be our role models, not high paid sports stars. Hi paid teachers? Now that sounds nice! #triumphanttales xoxo

  17. That’s a lovely letter. Full of positivity for going forward. I hope this advice is heeded as it is spot on. Thanks for joining us at #familyfun

  18. Oh this is lovely, really sweet. I love the efforts you’ve gone to to empower each and every student. #thesatsesh

  19. You sound like you are a genuinely fabulous teacher. The type I would wish for my kids and grandkids. Seeing the potential in all young minds and treating them as individuals. #thesatsesh

  20. What a lovely letter, you must be so proud of them all. How on earth do you say goodbye every year?! Thanks for sharing with #TriumphantTales.

  21. Back with the blogger love from #thesatsesh xoxo

  22. #thesatsesh one of the last lines hit the nail on the head – each one has their own gifts, if only they would recognise this. Seriously I can see it, but so often they can’t.

  23. Marko

    Wonderful letter , it shows that you care about your pupils

  24. Congratulations and have a wonderful summer! Thank you for sharing at the TrafficJam Linky Party.

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