Goodbye, Mrs. Snyder

The week before Christmas break I had to tell my students about my new job and that I would not be teaching them anymore.

It was really weird going through two weeks of school with them knowing my time with them was short, but them having no idea.

We brought them all together at the end of the day to go over a few things for the rest of the week and then I ended the meeting by telling them.

I had gone over what I was going to say over and over again, but there still seemed to be no words. I got a little choked up, but held it together.

They were shocked and not happy about the news. Some cried. Some wouldn't talk to me. And then others didn't seem phased at all.

I've taught 7th grade for five and a half years and I don't think there is anyway I could have imagined the dramatic response from them over the next few days. Oh. My. Goodness! If I got hugged once, I got hugged a million times. There were some students who would just look at me and start crying. Others were certain the rest of their life was going to suck because of this and that there is no way they were going to learn math ever again!

They really were sweet, but may have overreacted just a little.

The next day, they made cards for me in one of their other classes. They were so sweet...and funny...and a little morbid.

The one below is a little hard to see, but it's a picture of my student listening well to me teach on one side and him screaming at the new teacher on the other side.

I had to remind several of them that I'm not dead, nor am I dying.

Then, the mathematical version of saying goodbye!

We ended the week with a half day. We had a team party that morning where they got to meet their new teacher and then ended the day at a band and chorus concert. I was nervous about their response to the new teacher with me still being there; they were still very vocal about how dissatisifed they were with this change. I literally stood in front of the new teacher and principal as they announced her and stared daggers at anyone who looked like they might say something negative. A few boys started to boo her, but quickly stopped when I stared them down. Overall, they warmed up to her well and I think she'll do a great job!

Then, at the concert as the chorus came up to perform, two of my students (two sweet, quiet girls) walked up to the microphone and said, "As many of you know, the Minions team is losing a great teacher, Mrs. Snyder. Mrs. Snyder, will you please come up here?"
So, I walked up to the mircophone (I had no idea what was going on), they both hugged me and walked away, leaving me standing in the middle of the gym in front of the entire student body like a deer in headlights. I awkwardly looked around while the chorus teacher whispered to my two students. Then, they walked back up to the microphone, said, "We'll miss you" and walked away again! That time I took it upon myself to walk away as well!
Later the chorus teacher was so apologetic. Apparently they asked her if they could say something to me in the concert and she said sure, but didn't think to ask them what they had in mind.
She was mortified; I thought it was hilarious and sweet!

Overall we made it through the week and now they've had two weeks to process. Hopefully they'll come back and fall into a new groove quickly and smoothly with their new teacher.