I lied. I said I wasn't going to upload another post until next Friday, but I really really REALLY want to share about my last day of work at Linwood and the thoughts that ran through my head yesterday after working.
Throughout the year, I had my little moments of happiness as a teacher's assistant when students would walk up to me to ask questions instead of congregating around the teacher when she already has her hands full. I feel like I earned the students' trust and respect when they listen to my instructions and occasionally tell me about their lives outside of school. I feel appreciated and grateful when the students run up to hug me or thank me for helping them; it seems like they know that I care deeply about their success as a student.
To be honest, I thought Linwood would just be a place that I help students, nothing less, nothing more. I headed into the year labelling Linwood as a workplace that I just go to every week. It wasn't until the last day that I realized my true emotional attachment to the students, to the teachers, and to the school.
I have been in these students' shoes before. It's difficult to succeed at a school when it seems that everyone labels the school as "bad" or it doesn't "meet standards." It's worse when students this young believe that they can never succeed at school. At this young age, the odds are already stacked against them. I walked into Linwood wanting to help the students. I didn't walk into Linwood with a savior mentality in hopes of changing the entire school for the better and feeling good about myself. It's more than that; I want the students to learn for their sake. My maternal instinct told me that I would be happy when I witness moments where my students are proud of their achievements. Although I left Linwood with a month and half left in their school year, I can already see the progress that students made since the beginning of the year, in academics and in personality. Sure, getting better at reading and writing is great, but I also witness the students' increased confidence. There's always a possibility of the students forgetting me, but I'm satisfied just knowing that my efforts made at least a small difference in their lives. Thank you Linwood for an amazing year. I will truly miss everyone! Love, Rachel
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February 2018
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