It dawned on me that I have not shared or documented our trip across the country from Pennsylvania to North Carolina to California here on my blog. To fix that, over the next few weeks I'll be writing 'A Year Ago Today...' in which I will revisit all the fun we had making our way West.
To kick things off I will start with a small but memorable day that occurred A Year Ago Today...
December 18th fell on a Friday last year. The only reason I know this is because it was my last day at my job in Pennsylvania. I was teaching at a Residential Facility for Female Juvenile Offenders. My students were between the ages of 14 and 18 and most of the girls were very nice despite what their records indicated. For some reason, I was asked to wait until my last day to tell the girls that I was leaving. I felt bad for having to withhold that information, but I complied with my supervisors advise.
I had 2 classes of girls. I told the 9th and 10th grade class first. They were a little upset but wished me well. Then I told the 11th and 12th graders. For some reason I thought the younger class would take it harder, but I was wrong. My older girls cried and it broke my heart. You see, these girls did not come from the best of neighborhoods or have the best female role models in their life. I felt like I had been a good role model for them and the last thing I wanted them to feel was like I had let them down. At the end of the school day I gave them all letters with words of encouragement, gave them hugs, cried with them and then I left. Some of them have looked me up on Facebook and we've kept in touch.
And that night it started to snow. Heavy, wet, yucky snow. We were hoping to get out of Pennsylvania before the first big storm of the year but we didn't make it. Pennsylvania got the last laugh at our expense. Stay tuned for more stories from 'A Year Ago Today...'
Sometimes the students who surprise us the most are those that don't stick out in our minds. I have had past students visit me and tell me very nice things and I felt so guilty 'cause I couldn't remember their names. Love to hear more adventures from your cross country trip. :)
ReplyDeleteTalk about snow...we are getting more of it today...my word! Makes me want to bake more...lol
ReplyDeleteDidn't get to finish and I guess I hit the send key...but anyhow...just wanted to comment on the hardships of letting go because as a parent it is one of the hardest things we have to do. We know that we have to because it's needed for our children's confidence and independence but it is such a balance struggle...it lasts a lifetime ;)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds really interesting Cortney. I'll be watching for the next installment. I could see how the ladies would get attached to you and I'm glad you all are still FB friends. Take care.
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