Wrap up

Note:  Written on 18 June, posted later.

So this year came barreling to its end.  I have been teaching 16 or 17 years.  I have never created a countdown to the end for myself.  This year I did.  I hate that.  I love my kids so much (I wish the English language had more words for love, but oh well) and will miss most of them, but damn, I need this year to be over.  I have yet to speak to another colleague not in agreement.  The kids sense it too.  I told hubby that there should be a helicopter hovering over the school on graduation day.  Record the teacher race to drop off our gowns and book to our cars, peeling rubber out of that parking lot.  If I was a drinker, I would be getting filthy drunk on Friday.  I am not a drinker, so I will play the music loud and then head out dancing to loud music where a friend will be dj-ing a set.

So was there anything good this year?  Yeah, there was.  Here it goes:

1. My Photo II numbers went up and the kids were crazy creative.  I knew when I saw my rosters that I would get more cerebral stuff and they did not disappoint
2. I start AP Studio Art Photo next year and have 6 kids signed up
3. I had a regular bunch of boys at the breakfast table in my room every morning.  We'd sit and chat about life.  This is major for me because many students here assume that teachers favour those students of the same sex.  I guess I don't project that.  Good.  Oh, and damn, I will miss those chats and the boys.
4. Using new alternative processes with Photo III success.  The best gum bichromate results yet; not perfect, but better.  Thanks to the patient JK.  Palladium printing?   Holy crap!  I love this method!!!!  And the results?  I think I squealed in front of the kids.
5. 3D printing.  Yes, we printed photographs in relief.  And oh my gosh, we are in love with this.  Planning stuff with the AP 3D Art/Ceramics teacher for next year.  Woot woot!
6. I had a regular bunch of boys who came to the Photo room instead of the cafe.  They came because of their friends in the class, but I used the opportunity to show them photo stuff and they have all decided to sign up for the class next year.  Hell yeah.
7. I have a project with the LFPD - yeah, I know - where we are scanning, restoring, and printing old archival negatives.  We will continue this next year.  This is real world stuff that my kids can use in a job.  I also have a secret project related to this that I hope to get off the ground next year.
8. I had a student get into Fresh Perspectives.  I was in this show in high school.  I don't think it is the best show around, but I am in the minority.  Most people would kill to get in that.  Well, check it off my list.  And the girl who got a piece in?  One of the the hardest working Photo II kids out there.  So proud of her.
9. Despite bad things happening to some students, my classes pulled together like a family to care for their peers.

There were so many bad things this year, none of which are the fault of my students.  Despite some peoples' best efforts (hello gov) I am not ready to quit.  Well, not until I find the perfect cottage in Hungary to fix up.