The last day of school is always bittersweet for a teacher. You're relieved to say goodbye to the stressful and jam-packed schedule of school performances, science fairs, research reports, exams, and oh-so-much more. But you're also sad to say goodbye to the students you've nurtured and loved all year long. You've watched them accomplish exciting things, and now you have to let them go. And if teaching for nine years has taught me anything, it's that it doesn't get any easier, especially if you're the emotional type, which I am.
As crazy as some of the kiddos have made me feel at times throughout the year, I always have a slew of emotions running around inside me while I'm running around trying to make sure the students have everything and get everything cleaned up and organized before they head off for three months of freedom. It's a lot, so allow me to walk you through a typical teacher's mind on that emotion-filled last day of school.