Last day of school...

so today was the last day of school for the students and every year it always surprises me just how much of an influence you as a teacher have on these kids. you would think that they would want to just leave your class and not look back but i had students stay with me today for the whole 6 hours they where in school!!! these kids look up to you and what you say and do plays a major part in their life although you do not realize it. My eighth graders hugged me...EACH and every one of them...some cried...others, who i became rather close to (i mentored some of these kids) broke down. The last day of school always serves as a reminder to me of why i do what i do, why i love to do it.
I invited 5 of my eighth graders to lunch today and we had Mc Donald's (in my classroom obviously). It was great to be able to sit with them and just have lunch and talk...they have such great ideas, dreams, goals, its refreshing to see that they are looking forward to move ahead in life and not just stay in the same old, same old.
i had a great last day with my students, i can sincerly say i will miss most of them (most, hint, hint).