Student Teaching - Day 26

My last day at Portland! Although I'm excited to gain new experience at Beech, I am SO SAD to have to leave my students. I have truly fallen in love with them and I cannot wait to see them again at State Convention. This morning was the Tractorcade! They named me Tractor Queen - I even got a sash! I also got to ride in the biggest tractor that lead the line from McDonald's to the school. I love that this event not only gives the students an opportunity to exhibit their agriculture background, but it advocates agriculture and the FFA as well. It was funny to see the boys stand around in their Carhartts like old men already. I won't forget that morning!


In 2nd block, I finally was able to do the Blood Trail Challenge! We discussed the different types of shots and blood, and what those shots mean in relation to how to follow that trail. I think the students really had fun, and I will genuinely miss these students. I know that I was able to teach this class for a reason - I love wildlife management, but I had never taken the class in high school. I'm so amazed and glad that I was given the opportunity to teach this class because this has truly shaped my love of yet another agriculture class. I will miss these students and I will never forget them.

During lunch, the students brought food to celebrate my last day. Michelle gave me an old picture of the two of us in a beautiful frame. I also was given a card with all the student's signatures and lots of little messages written. A 4th block student also wrote me a beautiful note, and Mr. Shartzer framed a scanned picture of an older issue of a National FFA Magazine where I was on the cover. I will keep these tokens, especially the card, forever. The things written on that card reflect what had made an impression during my teaching - the field trips, the games, etc. That not only tells me what I did right, but just made me feel good in general!

I also had gifts for the students. In 2nd block, I had promised the students that won the Thicket Game a surprise, and I made them cupcakes. Anyone who did not win was able to tell me one thing they learned in class to also get a cupcake. I had about 30 students that I had written a notecard to, and about 23 of them that I had a framed picture of something we did over my time there. In order not to hurt any feelings, I had the students I had a note or picture for stay after class without telling them what for. I had many students tell me they would put the picture in a certain spot in their room - "I'm putting this on my desk!" - and couple of students have already sent me emails. One girl in particular let me know she cried when she read it. I also had many students, mostly boys, come back at the end of the day just to see me one last time and give me a hug before I left. Knowing that I was going to be able to see lots of them again during State Convention made me feel much better! I also think I will be able to sub for Mrs. Barnett at the end of the Portland School year, right after I graduate. I hope that comes through!


My overall experience at Portland can be summarized with this: I will never, ever forget those students. Each one of them has illstrated things I will be able to use in the future, and I vow to honor them by using what I've learned for good with the students I will one day have. To my students, I send out positive energy. I know they are smart, amazing, kind, funny, sweet, creative people that I love who will make a difference in the world no matter that they choose to do. Thank you God for sending them to me!