Tchau for Now

June is a time of endings. For teachers it is a notch in the belt for another year of a challenging career come to a close. It is a time to say goodbye to current students and farewell to graduating seniors.  As this my last year in Brazil I am saying bittersweet goodbyes to everyone. As excited I am for what the future in Asia holds, the students here have been the best part of my job and I will do my best to hold on to those memories whenever I look back.

First up in the goodbyes was Senior Graduation:

I love graduations for the traditions that are unique to each school.
Here students are escorted to the stage during the processional by a parent.

I never taught any of the students in this class, however, I did serve as their CAS
Coordinator the last two years. I had the opportunity to get to know a few students
through other school events, such as last year's trip to Europe, including these two:
my fellow ginger and my favorite Salvadoran, both of whom share the latest
in reggaeton hits with me, as well as being intelligent and talented students.

Next up, 8th grade Promotion. I began my time here with these monsters as crazy little sixth graders fresh out of elementary school. I'm still amazed we both made it out of that year alive!  I had the pleasure - and it was! - to have half of them again this year as I was asked to step in to take over an 8th grade Physical Science course at semester.

The Colombian contingent of the class. Viva la tierra querida!

This Fernanda.
She's a bit teary here, but she's been in my class twice now and served as my
office/locker neighbor all year, never missing a day saying, "Good Morning, Stetty!"

The day after 8th grade Graduation I received the above email from John
and made an appearance on his Instagram.

Final farewells. I've known my current ninth graders for three years now. I met them as 7th graders, had daily contact with them outside my CAS Office door where their lockers were located throughout their 8th grade year, and again for Biology as Freshmen.  These are some of the nicest and easiest kids I have ever taught...and I had them twice!

My 9th graders gifted me with a framed group photo from our class trip.

While not always easy, my first cohort of IB Biology students grew on me.  It took us awhile to figure each other out and get into a good rhythm, but I am happy with our progress and how much they have grown over the year.  I am confident they will continue to be great and I look forward to hearing about how they do on their exams a year from now!

Facebook posting from one of my IB Bio students of a photo from the last day
of IB activities with all the departing IB teachers and a couple other students.

One of the great things about International Schools is that the students often spread to the far corners of the Earth. I have run in to former students and colleagues in airports, met for lunch in New York City or Miami or Rio, and shared successes and odd remembrances over Facebook.  For many of these faces it isn't goodbye so much as a tchau...for now.

Wonderful farewell speech given by one of the 8th grade students who I taught
this last semester and as a 6th grader my first year here.
Moments like this remind me that, despite frustrations with work,
I am a teacher because of the kids, above all else.