Straight Outta Elementary

Elementary school. It’s a place where we begin to discover who we are, why we do the things we do, who we should be friends with. It can be pretty tricky. But in a lot of ways, elementary school is just like college. Let me explain; in elementary school, you start to experience more independence. People begin to make new friends, and most likely start at a new school. You start to realize who you are and why you have the opinions and beliefs that you have. You still have family and friends to support you, but with each year you become more and more ready to do things on your own. In many ways, at the start of this class, I felt the same as many of the elementary students, just trying to make friends and do my best. 

With this being the last week in elementary, I felt oddly bittersweet. Yes, I know that I will be seeing the students around campus and probably end up with them again next semester or year, but it is still somewhat difficult to leave them. I’ve come to know many of their quirks, personalities, and favorite rules to break. I’ve learned of different heritages and cultures, and I am constantly shocked by what some kids say. I know some parents and siblings, as well as the classroom pets. And the idea of leaving all this knowledge behind in the classroom is hard to accept.  

I know that I won’t forget the students, and that I will hold some of the memories I have from the elementary classroom close to my heart. Having been with these children for several weeks now, I have learned that each child truly is different and learns differently than other children. Some kids will appear to be ignoring the teacher the whole time but can describe in detail what was just read. There are also the kids who appear to be engaged and who try hard, but they can never seem to recall what they just learned. Hearing those few students who get so happy and excited to see you that they can’t help but yell and run up to you with a hug, and also those students who simply call you by your name when you’ve never spoken to them before. These are the memories that I will recall when I think about the elementary.