What a Year! + 2020 Student Affirmations

Today completes the end of my 2019-2020 school year.  I have learned so much about myself and, more importantly, about what students need in a teacher.  And, quite honestly, I'm emotional.  With the consequences of this global pandemic, teachers are having to leave their classrooms and students without any closure for the school year—and without any answers for the future.  

If there is one thing I've learned this year about being an educator, it's that we must adapt and embrace change.  Every.  Single.  Time.

And, nevertheless, we persist!  

I'm convinced that I can handle anything at this point.  Now that's the positive attitude we need to bring to our classrooms.

I'm ready for change.  I'm ready for any new thing the world may throw at me.  I'm ready to take every opportunity granted to me.

Here is to teaching!  And completing "Year #1" successfully.

(P.S. Plus, I'm publishing a YA novel this summer!  Check out my author blog by clicking here!)

2019-2020 Student Affirmations

• "All I have to say is you were an amazing teacher. I loved coming to your class every day, it was fun and one of my favorite classes. We never had any outrageous work and there were always plenty of opportunities for extra credit which I LOVE. You were the goofiest teacher I had and it was super fun in your class, I can’t wait to come back as a junior and have you again (hopefully). You were the teacher that I always went to. If I questioned (unrelated to schoolwork) all the activities we did in your class were super fun, I always enjoyed it. I can’t think of one thing in your class that I didn’t like. Genuinely.  I know I complain a lot but I’m never serious about it. So anyway, you were an amazing teacher everyone I’ve talked to has enjoyed your class as much as I have. So know that you do a great job at our school, putting a lot of smiles on everyone's face."

• "This class has been really good for me. I really enjoyed the people in it. I really laughed and had a lot of fun. I did learn a lot about speeches and the rhetorical strategies that speakers use. I learned lots about Shakespeare too. Honestly, this class was probably one of my favorites! I wanna say thank you for all that you have done throughout the whole school year! But especially throughout this whole online schooling. You have been the best teacher when it comes to informing and reminding us. You have been the most organized and helpful throughout all of this chaos."

• "Mrs. Bryant, I just wanted to tell you, you are the best teacher I have ever had. Your class was a lot of fun but we were learning a lot too. Your classroom always felt safe and I loved how we had class discussions. I have been telling everyone in my grade that your class is going to be their favorite next year. You are such an amazing teacher, I hope you know that. I loved our journals. I loved pretty much everything we did. Reading Romeo and Juliet was so awesome. I didn’t think I would like it but I really did. You were very helpful whenever I needed help."

• "Dear Mrs. Bryant, I would like to say that I am crying now. Like right now. I know I’m mostly a happy/funny kid that’s always laughing and telling jokes but I’m a softy, I’m a very emotional person and sometimes it sucks. This is the end of my freshman year, I didn’t get to finish it or do some of the things I wanted, it’s making me sad. One of the most important memories I had was when I got to your class on the first day.  I will never forget it. You were so welcoming. You aren’t a teacher who just teaches because that’s your job. You’re a teacher who teaches because you genuinely enjoy it. You’re always open to let people come talk to you, even if it’s dumb. You are one of the most understanding people I have ever met. If I could use one word to describe you it would be bubbly, you are ALWAYS smiling and laughing, even if you aren’t having a good day you somehow manage to smile through it.  If I didn’t learn anything this year the one thing I did learn from you is that whatever I do in life, I should be happy and enjoy it. I hope that I find the happiness you did in teaching. You’re one of the people that has impacted me the most. I look up to you. I could never look up to my biological mom. She's not a good person and doesn’t make good decisions. I’ve met my biological dad like one time and he wanted nothing to do with me then. I don’t remember him but from what I heard he isn’t a good person either. The reason I’m bringing this up is that you and another teacher together have filled that spot, I never really looked up to anyone until this year, I used to do my own thing. I feel wanted and heard when I’m around you, not like my presence is a nuisance. You’re always open to hear me out, that’s all anyone could ask for and you did it. You have impacted me in big ways."

• "You will change the world with how you are with your students and I really want you to know that! Never stop being you! As a student, I can tell when a teacher sincerely cares about their students and I can see it in you.  I want to be a lawyer because of you. I remember how you talked about how the smallest things people say can change your or someone else's life, well you changed mine. And now I’ll never look at myself the same and it's amazing! I’m truly grateful for the person you helped me become and I hope I’ve made an impact on you too! I’ve never been more comfortable at the thought of being a lawyer because you pushed me enough to want to achieve that and now I’m pushing myself. I will become a lawyer one day and you will always be a part of that reason. In the last few years of school, I’ve never been able to call a teacher a friend, and you’d be the first. You are an amazing person and I hope I’m not the first person to tell you that!"