The 2014/2015 school year has ended. Some people celebrate that it is summer, time for rest. Some celebrate the opportunity for new beginnings. Some celebrate a full, productive year.
I celebrate that my class and I managed our goodbyes. Goodbye with lots of celebration. Goodbye with lots of connection. Goodbye with the understanding that it is not really goodbye at all because sharing a room is not the only way to share.
We toasted a wonderful year (or for many of us two or three years) together.
Yes, we had some tears. Yes, there were lots of hugs. But most of all there was security. When you build something great together, it still stands when you step away. Somehow, quietly, we all knew this.
And so . . . our goodbyes were full of gratitude, of smiles, of honouring what we have built. And of knowing that it is in each of us.
I am so lucky to be a teacher. So lucky to work with such wonderful children. Today, I celebrate that.
Big breath.
Thank you to Ruth Ayres and the #celebratelu community! Being part of a community that regularly shares gratitude and celebrations truly transforms my weeks.
There's a Book for That 
Carrie, I have truly enjoyed following you and your kids this past year-from the end of the strike to the end of the school year. I would love to send you a copy of my picture book The Peddler’s Bed which releases on September 1 for you to share with your new students in the fall.
Thank you Lauri – for both your comments and the offer! We would love to read your book! I will email you my address.
Cheers to you! Thank you for sharing your class and the books you’ve been reading.
Now – have a wonderful summer and read some books just for yourself.
All of the books are books I love but I do have a huge stack ready to take with me on vacation!
What an interesting year it’s been for you and these wonderful kids, Carrie. From the strike to this sweet ending, you’ve shared so many lovely stories. I am glad to have been a ‘virtual’ part of what you and your students did. Happy Summer!
Thanks so much Linda. It has been quite the year. I am so happy we ended this year in such a lovely way.
Your posts always lift me up. Happy summer to you beautiful teacher. I remember last year and the uncertainty of your summer. May this summer be restful and rejuvenating!
I remember last year too! This feels just so right. I look forward to the summer and will be ready for the fall!
I was just thinking about your last summer too. So thankful for the year you had and a summer without waiting!
Really like this…”I celebrate that my class and I managed our goodbyes. Goodbye with lots of celebration. Goodbye with lots of connection. Goodbye with the understanding that it is not really goodbye at all because sharing a room is not the only way to share.”
I love how you have students for more than one year! It would be a dream come true for me!
Happy summer!
It has been very precious. I am really hoping it can happen again in the very near future for me.
So glad you were able to celebrate the end of the year by toasting your wonderful students. Now go enjoy some much needed rest.
maybe not much needed rest(although it was always that way for me), but for sure well earned rest. Can’t wait to follow your summer reading!
Thanks Ramona I have been amassing a stack!
Remembering the difficulties of the beginning of the year it is good to read about the goodbye with connections, gratitude and celebration. I hope that this year the summer will be restful and inspirational.
Thank you Terje. Much appreciated.
Carrie,
My heart sort of ached just thinking about you saying good-bye to this group of children. But in a way that only you so eloquently can do, you’ve made the good-bye “OK” for everyone, most importantly your students. You’ve given them structure, support, and stability such that they can carry it forward to their next and new life experiences. You are a gift to them and to all of your readers and followers. Thank you!
As always Stephanie, thank you for such a thoughtful comment.