A Full-Circle Moment: Watching My Former Students Graduate
We Waldorf folks sure know how to recognize transitions.
Yesterday, my former students graduated 8th grade, so I’ve spent the weekend in an emotion-riddled fog. Watching them on the stage, speaking about each other, and reflecting on their years at our school was so sweet and inspiring. I’m so excited about the futures that they have in front of them.
With the teacher who has been with them for the past three years.
As I watched the retrospective slideshow at the reception, I was struck by how vivid my memories of those early years are. I think because I haven’t spent every day with them for the past three years, it’s easy for me to remember their sweet faces and the adorable things they used to say in first and second grade.
One highlight was seeing a former student whom I haven’t seen since her family moved away, and she left the class four years ago. Such a sweet, tearful reunion. I think about the funny, energetic first grader she used to be all the time! What a treat to see her now so grown up.
These children have made up so many of my favorite teaching memories. I learned so much from them as they modeled every day what it means to be human, make mistakes, and get back up and keep trying.
I’m so grateful to have been a part of their story.
