So much happens between blog postings that it becomes a daunting and overwhelming task when I decide to update.  I guess that's the case of any blogger.  Today I've committed myself to finishing this post, so wish me luck.  I hope I don't abandon the process halfway through. 

Summer vacation is officially here and my 2012-2013 school year has ended.  I had a wonderful year!  My kids/students did really well, and we all worked extremely hard to reach our goals.  To an outsider it might seem that I had an "easy class", but it wasn't an easy class.  Is there ever an easy class?  The thought makes me chuckle at the absurdity of the concept.  We all get sucked into the "grass looks greener on the other side" viewpoint at times, but in reality it was a hard year, for me personally and for my students academically and behaviorally.  We all worked hard though, and in the end, they really succeeded in both of those areas.

I made a goal at the end of last year that I was going to be MY best, and make this YEAR the best, and I think we did pretty good overall.  My prayers this year often centered around particular student(s), asking Heavenly Father to help me, or to help them learn a particular skill they were struggling with.  My prayers were answered every time. :) 

I also had the most dedicated parent volunteers a teacher could ask for this year.  They came EVERY week, and many of them even came in twice a week.  They didn't just care about their own child, which I really loved. They sincerely wanted EVERY child to do well, and they "magnified" the opportunity of volunteering, by being the best volunteers I've ever had.  I look up to these ladies so much.  They have no idea how they've influenced my life.  They probably thought they were just volunteers, but as I got to know them, I found myself looking up to them.  They are some of the most selfless and kindest people I've ever met.  So, the volunteers rocked!

The parents of my students were wonderful too.  I have never had a group of parents that were so willing and eager.  When I suggested things or asked them to do more of something, they always followed through.  They read for longer durations with their kids, and just worked their tails off.  They did anything I suggested!!!!!!  Their willingness to do what was asked was amazing, considering how busy I know their lives are.  They all rocked!

I played a small part of our success this year.  I think I worked ten times as hard as I usually do, but that sounds like I'm tooting my own horn.  I promise I am usually pretty humble about these sorts of things.  I did in fact work very hard. 

My students whom I loved and respected, also put in a lot of effort and hard work to achieve their goals.  Not one of them dragged their heels or complained.  They all did what I asked of them, and they did everything I asked of them with dedication.  The only reason why we achieved our goals was because of their efforts.  They were exceptional!

Our combined efforts made this year one of the most successful I've ever had.  It'll be hard to beat it, and statistically it would probably be impossible, but I'm sure going to try to beat it in the years that follow.  I'm always trying to do better today than I did yesterday, and that applies to my job too.  I think I am a much better teacher today than I was when I first started out.  I've made a lot of mistakes, but I'm happy with the direction I'm heading in.  I'm getting better.  I'm not perfect, but I am so much better each year. 

I've seen my class list for next year.  There are always family names that I wish I had, that some other teacher gets, that I wish I would have gotten, but overall I feel excited for next year.  All year long our principal has prepared us that this next year might be quite hard, based on their test results and behavior challenges, but I can already tell you that I am going to be prepared and I am going to work extra hard to help them, despite whatever challenges come my way.  I know each child is sincerely a Child of God, and I will do my best to help them.  I just hope I got the "right kids", the ones that match my abilities, the ones that work best with me, and the ones that I can best reach.

I cautiously laugh a little when I think of the challenges I will face next year.  First graders usually don't have a large vocabulary of expletives, but occasionally there are a few that know them a little too well, usually by no fault of their own.  So wish me luck and say a few prayers for me in the expletive elimination department.  Your prayers would be greatly appreciated.  :) 

It is going to be a good year.  I'm making up my mind now that it will be.  Making up your mind beforehand is the first step to success.  I've been through much worse, so hopefully this wont' be too hard.  I'll be okay, right?  Ha ha! :) 

This has been a hard year for me personally and for my family.  As a whole we've been tested and tried.  I've probably shed more tears in the past two years, than I've shed my whole life.  It's been a very, very challenging year for sure!!!  I'm okay though.  My feet are still firmly set on the ground and I'm looking forward to a peaceful and healing summer.  I'm not inviting stress to come to my life or into this house.  I've made my mind up that this is going to be a calm summer.  So, to both friend and stranger, I wish you the same.  May you have a calm summer.

Now, I'm done.  Now, where's that cat?  We've got some cuddling to do.  Happy summer to you all!