Thought processes of an elementary teacher nearing the end of the school year, but thinks, perhaps,"I Can't Believe It's Summer!"

College, universities, some high schools and private schools are out, but this year, I was just comfortable checkin' in daily and getting stuff done. Being part-time, teaching provides the only real structure I have during the day, and I respect that.

Did I teach them anything?
Not enough. I should work on fat portfolios.

On the other hand, I'm more than a little impatient to hand a few of these kids back to their parents (or nannies, or 6 weeks of camps, or whatever). There are some strong personalities that don't brainwash well. There are also some little shits.

There are a lot of rules in schools and everyone needs a little free time from those rules that need never be internalized. The "Walking Single File Without a Word" . (Let's see little conformity here, boys and girls! We are socializing you, don't you know? If you queue properly, our super highways would be super.

Some rules, I hope, will be internalized. Our kids are great at holding doors open for people without being asked. The Montessori method has taught some children a genuine and beautiful, "I want to interrupt" message...it's a hand gently resting on your arm.

(Mind you, if 20 of them do it at once, it's quite some time before you allow anyone at all to touch you. It irritated the hell outta one of our teachers)

Two days left. I will miss some of these kids as they move on.