Another Graduation

Well it's over. I am glad and I can't believe it at the same time. I am glad it's over for two reasons.

Reason #1: because it's summer and who wants to work over summer. Ok, I do, but only because I have to, and I get bored doing nothing all day. But I do have enough vacation hours to only work part time and that makes it a good enough reason to have school over with.

Reason #2: I had some hard parents this year. Okay just two, really just one. She drove me crazy in every way a parent can drive me crazy. I won't go into details, because it will get me all riled up again.

What a great year it was. I don't want these little guys to ever leave my classroom. The hardest part about graduation, graduating 11 of 13 kids and not being able to teach the other 2 next year.

Graduation went like this:

Kids sang 5 songs - despite the sound not working, which I had set up about 45 min before the graduation started, and it taking me about 5 min to try and figure out why it wasn't working and then still not getting it to work so we had to use a regular CD player with a microphone, my kids sang FANTASTIC, they were so loud! I couldn't sing the last song because I was trying not cry.

Teachers present graduates - I couldn't even talk when it was my turn. I just sat and cried for a min. in front of everyone.

2 parents speak about how wonderful GIANT Steps is (I don't deny this fact and I am not humble about it. It is the BEST Preschool for kids with Autism). - I sit on Jamon's lap and shed a little tear because I don't want my kids to leave.

Introduction of staff - I dry my eyes

Slide show - Can't help it, the parents of one of my kids are sitting behind me and crying what am I supposed to do. Music on the slide show starts to cut in and out for about the first 5 min. (What the heck, I'm never being the sound person again).

Graduation is over, Parents and kids keep coming up to me crying and I don't want to make them feel silly for crying so I join them.

Eat Pizza - by this time I am still sad, but I think most of the tears are gone. All the kids say their finally goodbyes and I hug all the parents that I will really miss.

Disclaimer: I really don't cry that much. Crying while me kids sing at their songs at Graduation is a typical behavior for me, but not all the tears throughout. I just wanted to all to know how much I will miss these kids.

I have laughed so hard this year and enjoyed how independent my kids have become. I have been able to do things this year with my class that has never been able to do.

Here are a few of my favorite, funny things they have said.

B: When I grow up I'm going to be a fireman...or Jesus.

(R has hands down his pant)
Me: What are you doing?
R: fixing my pee pee
Me: What's wrong with it?
R: It's not shaking and rattling anymore

(outside waiting for mom and other kids are walking by)
B: What's up Yo, Freaka Freaka?

I LOVE these guys!!

Now on to Next year