Dear Students. . .

What a weird semester we have had together.  So many missed school days or shortened blocks.  Still, you finished well.  I would like to thank you for the wonderful time I have shared with you. I do know that there were some days you probably walked into room 3522 and wondered what in the world was up with Ms. Nolte that day.  Forgive me.

I don’t know that you will understand what it is like being a teacher, unless you find yourselves in my shoes someday.  Regardless, I would like to apologize for any days that I might have made your day less positive, or made you feel inadequate, or not given you the attention you deserve.  That was never my intention, but I am so human sometimes. I want you to know several things.  

The first is that YOU ARE LOVED!  You were loved each day you walked into my classroom, each day you skipped my block, each day you were out sick, each day we missed due to “inclement weather.”  You were loved when you all paused awkwardly, not wanting to read in front of your peers. You were loved when I waited at the front of class counting the seconds you chose to talk instead of listen to me.  You were loved when I assigned you essays, and news logs, and webquests.  You were loved when I didn’t accept your late papers... and when I did!  You were loved when I passed out those miniscule progress reports that even you needed reading glasses for, whether you had a high flying A or you were struggling through with a 69.45. You were loved when you asked to go to the restroom every single day at the same time.  You were loved when you got me completely distracted  and rambling about unrelated topics.

It doesn’t stop there!  You will be loved from here on out.  Everytime I think of you, you will be loved.  And trust me - I will remember you!

I will remember you everytime I open my candy box and think back to the day you stole the tootsie roll and then lied about it!  It wasn’t about the candy, it was about the dishonesty.  Don’t lie - honesty is still the best policy, after all these years.

I will remember you every time I hear a rap song on the radio and think that you are much better at writing creative lyrics than any one with a record deal.  Don’t stop creating.

I will remember you every time I have a student skip, and you can bet your bottom dollar I will see their face in my class the next day!  Don’t think I won’t search the parking lot, check in with your bus driver, call and email home every day.  Come to school, be on time, it’s good for you and I want you with us.  Just a heads up... if you skip work your boss won’t chase you down.  He or she will just let you leave and not invite you back.

I will remember you every time I see a student cry.  Thank you for trusting me with your problems, fears, and hurts.  Life is so hard sometimes, but there is always a way, and there is always someone that cares.  If you need someone who cares, come find me!

I will remember you everytime I see someone try to hide their cell phone in the middle of my lecture.  Let’s face it, I will think of you often on this one!  Just so you know, you're not as inconspicuous as you might think.  

I will remember you every time I make a seating chart.  No matter how hard I try to strategically place you - you are going to talk to your neighbor.  Being social is a great thing, but so is being a listener.

I will remember you every time I sigh at the load of work I have and think about you sighing each day you looked at the agenda.  Work hard, it pays off, just maybe not in the ways you expect sometimes.

I will remember you every time I hear the same question twice.  Again, be a good listener.

I will remember you every time someone gives up before exploring options B, C, D... Z, and even back to option A.  Don’t forget to be a problem solver.

I will remember you every time I hear someone bad mouth another person and think about the time you went to bat for the underdog.  Always, always stand up for what is right.

I will remember you each time I feel as though I am doing busy work and think about what I wanted you to learn.  Most things have purpose, great or small, try to find a principle or discipline to take away from all objectives and situations.

I will remember you when you try to add me as a Friend on Facebook and yes, I will decline you.  I am here to be your teacher, not your friend.  We can be friends in 20 years when I teach your children.  Then, and only then, will we be “friends.” I might still make you call me Ms. Nolte though!

I will remember you when I teach the same person twice.  It is so nice to have veterans.  I am blessed to have taught you twice or thrice.

I will remember you every time I see someone do the CanCan and think about the time I had to sing and dance to get your attention. I will also remember the time I stood on a table to read to you - again, to get your attention.  Are you seeing a theme here?

I will remember you every time I see the book “There’s a boy in the girls’ bathroom.”  I will not forget you, Jeff Fishkins and Bradley Chalkers.  Don’t ever believe you are too old to enjoy a children’s story.  There’s an abundance of life lessons tucked between the pages.

I will remember you every time someone keys into me wanting to say something.  Thanks for being in tune and telling others that I am ready to talk.

It is not what I wish, but I realize that as you walk out my door it may be the last time I see you.  I will constantly be reminded of you, and truly hope that you come visit.  I may not remember what year, semester, or block I had you, but I can recall all of your sweet faces and no matter how large or small a role you have played, each of you has impacted me as a teacher and an individual.  I hope that I may have impacted you as well.  As much as I love the social studies, I hope you have taken away skills that might serve you well in life.  It is not all about the academics, it is about growing into a person that loves people well and makes a conscious effort to change the world for good.

I will remember you.  I love you.  I pray for you.  I believe in you always.  I know you will do world changing things. 

And most of all, I desperately hope that you know the One that loves you most.

Ms. Nolte