A Thank You to my first 5th Grade Class!

Dear Fifth Graders,

I know this may never been seen by you, and I also know that it's coming from someone who has only known you for about half of a semester, but I want to thank you for the experiences that you have given me, and for the lessons that YOU have all taught me. Often times it is the teacher who inspires the student, and although I do feel like I have done that, I feel like you have indirectly inspired me more than you will ever begin to know. As fifth graders, you were my first full class that I taught over the age of preschool, and you were also the first social studies class that I have taught. Through this experience, I have grown as a future educator and even a student myself. I learned that although teaching has been and always will be a large amount of work when it comes to preparation and planning, teaching you all has reminded me of why I decided to teach in the first place. Seeing you all reach your "aha" moments or even just greet me as you walked in the classroom or have a smile on your face when I was ready to begin was more than I could ever ask for. The smile on my face in this picture is an understatement of how much I enjoy teaching and from being in first grade and having that goal up until now, it is evident that experiences such as teaching your classroom will only bring me closer to achieving my goal that is oh so attainable and desired. So to my first fifth grade class, thank you. Thank you for inspiring me, for cherishing me, for respecting me, and for making this teaching experience just another step in the direction to my own classroom someday.

Love always,

Miss Amanda