No shortcuts!

This semester has been a whirlwind and there are still three weeks left! All of the big assignments are looming and I can't seem to wrap my head around completing them. Thank goodness I was thinking ahead and tried to start them earlier (tried being the key word.) SIT is done. I'm excited about the brief lull in lesson plan writing, but sad to leave my first placement. My fifth graders are awesome and the sweetest kids. My CF has become like a big sister to me.

Last week, my grandfather passed away. I took Tuesday off from class to be with my family and help make funeral arrangements. I returned to school on Wednesday - I had to stay busy. I entered the classroom, on my last day of SIT, to a big poster and a warm coffee from Starbucks (Grande Skinny Vanilla Latte - my CF knows me so well.) Tears welled up in my eyes. The students all made cards for me, both sympathetic and congratulatory. It was a great day, and not just because it started with Starbucks. It was great because I was surrounded by my sweet students and amazing CF. As excited as I am to continue my journey, I can't imagine that my next placement will be nearly as enjoyable. I hope to be proved wrong!

As an early parting gift, my CF gave me a necklace with a compass rose pendant. On the back it says, "There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going." These words will always remind me of my CF, fifth graders, successful SIT, and my grandfather. This necklace, although a small token, will keep me going as we continue our journey through grad school.