Every year around this time, I get conflicted feeling: tired, anticipating next year, and of course, knowing that my seniors will be gone. I am of course always proud as I could be when my kiddos graduate; like a parent, I am happy to see them fly out of the nest. At the same time, kids that I've had for multiple classes, who are in NHS with me, I know I'll miss them so much. That happens every year, and nothing makes me happier than my former kiddos shooting me some messages a couple of years later saying how well college is doing, and then even later when they get their first jobs, etc.
For myself, this has been a rough year, probably because of buying and selling a house, moving twice and to be honest, being a little worn thin teaching the same subject for 18 years. But I think another big part of it is just not seeing those kiddos on a regular basis. I miss them a little already this year, which is probably good because it will help me to let them fly out of the nest.
This year is really a special case for me. Of our graduating class of around 140-150 or so, there are 26 students that have taken at least 2 classes from me, 24 who have taken at least 3, and 9 who have taken 4 courses with me. That's a pretty significant part of their high school career, and I'm honored to have taught each and every one of them.
I teach at a public magnet STEM Academy, one that has a lottery for admission, no testing is necessary for admission, nor really is there any requirement to be actually interested in STEM, so we get kids for a variety of reasons, including that interest sometimes. What is amazing about this group of seniors is that even though a lot of them are not going into STEM fields, they fully bought into the vision of our school. They are collaborators, innovators, professionals, designers, and perhaps what I'm most proud of, they are inquirers and critical thinkers. They don't shrink from challenges, they rise up and meet them. Even though most of them are gone half the day doing dual enrollment work, they still lead this school by example each and every day. They have held up the L&N banner high, and our coming classes should really look at what they did, who they were, and try to emulate that even as they find their own way to do it.
So my wonderful senior Gryphons, fly, spread those wings and become what you are meant to be, change the world, find solutions to problems, love others, lift others up, fly high and lead others in the ways that they should go. Don't let tales of Icarus hold you back, that kid had fake wings of wax...you all are Gryphons, with wings made of thought and curiosity, determination and teamwork.
As a long time teacher (next year is 20 for me), I am often hesitant to call out a lot of students or a class for any kind of praise that might make other classes upset or make them feel left out. That probably means that I don't give out as much positive feedback as I ought to sometimes. But, another thing that I've learned over these past two decades is that what students want, what any person wants, is to be known, to have some say their name with kindness and love.
So... Connor and Devon, Rosey, Ansley, Nick, Chloe, Bryce and Bryce, Daniel and Daniel (and Daniel), Macy, Ivy, Kennis, Walker, Cade (or Jakob!), Isabelle, Samantha, Circe, Kailey, Travis, Savannah, Janaya, Julia, Brooke, and Delaney (to any of you who had me multiple times that I missed, it isn't because you aren't as vital, it's because I'm an old man and forget things), I'll miss you all a lot, but I can't wait to see what you become, I'm already proud of what the four years at the L&N has wrought in each and every one of you.
