Wednesday, 21 May 2008

It's over.

My time is up. Student teaching has officially ended, as of Monday night's concert. I said good-bye to over 850 students (who had the most? Did I?), 150 at this concert.

I faced some final frustrations that I didn't expect right up to the end. But that's life, I guess. They still pulled through and Ross and his folks offered some opinions as outsiders that affirmed what I've believed all along about how I taught. I stand behind how I work and although I may have done a few things differently, I don't think I worked with the choirs WRONG.

A few cool thoughts: one student said before the concert, "Good luck, Mr. Racey. I hope you do well."
"I will if you sing for me."
"I will, Mr. Racey!"

And afterwards, another one came up to me and said, "Mr. Racey... are you done?"
"Yeah, I am."
"Hey. Thanks for teaching us in choir."
"My pleasure."

I didn't get to say good-bye at Holland Christian like I wanted, which frustrates me endlessly. I think I was more just torn away, but I guess I made more of an impression than I thought. My prayer is that the students leave this school year and the student-teacher relationship that we formed together better than when we started.

And now, another adventure is about to begin as a camp counselor. Will any of the boys among my 850 students be in my cabin or at Center Lake this summer? Will they face the scenario of having to call me "Tyler" instead of "Mr. Racey?" Only God knows at this point.