Thoughts on the end of the year...

Yes, this is a couple of weeks late... but here it is:

• I spent so much of this year gushing about the photo classes that hubby asked if this was my favourite year. Well, I can't say it was the favourite - it's like picking your fave child - but it was real nice...
• I got to meet such great, imaginative, creative and talented students.
• I think the PV community finally knows that the Photo program is one of the best things at PV. The stuff in the art show proved that. And I couldn't even put in all the great stuff!
• When people act up, it bothers me because it ruins it for the others. So, those of you in period one who suffered, I felt your pain, but I am glad it didn't ruin Photo for you. Note: period 1 art classes are always a challenge. Just ask any former period 1 inmate - I mean student;)
• I loved seeing some of you look for and find other photographers you like. Especially when it is someone young, contemporary and not familiar to me. Others may think you weren't working, but in fact, you were.
• I like that some of you want to put your work in non-school shows. That's determination!
• I can't believe that you really want a Photo 3 - and that Mr. Wallace said ok! Amazing!
• Storage taking over the darkroom? Students say no way and we win! Hooray for expressing your rights to be taught what benefits you.
• The work you do makes other people in the building want to see what goes on in 026/024. That's a compliment to you.
• Going to ICP and seeing you all have fun, take notes, take pictures, etc.. More trips next year!
• Feeling like the classes were a family. We may fight, misbehave, get on each others nerves. But we respected each other and cared about each other. Lessons people forget are part of what should be learned in school.
• Showing up the morning after graduation and having one student coming to say goodbye and thank you and three sassy students hanging out until it was time for bed.
• Finding proof that not everyone at PV is a carbon copy of the dopes on "Jersey Shore." ...I hear most of them are from Staten Island anyhoo... That the arts get the unique, different, quirky, open-minded kids from all countries, socio-economic groups, religions. Many of you are travelers, multi-lingual, driven, ambitious and just all around cool.

There's more that I will probably think of later. But that's it for now. We may put up with a lot of bs from the current governor and other stressful things but every day in the classroom is a ton of fun. Tons of work, but so much fun.

Thanks guys and gals...