HEY 8TH GRADE, I’M NO GOOD AT GOODBYES

by Andrew Negru | Jun 10, 2021 | Teaching

You would think that after 11 years of this it would get easier. Well big surprise, it hasn’t! I realized yesterday June 9th that I’m no good at goodbyes. As we walked the halls for the last time it felt like time was about to end, the game was over, the movie had finished, kaput, done, nothing.

Just like that, my classroom was empty. No one to come “bother” me, no one to ask me for candy, no one to tell me good morning, no one to ask me how I’m doing. Every year, but this year especially has been rough. We survived quarantine, we survived catching covid 19, we were the first or second school in the states to shut down because of Covid. We did it, we made it and now you move on.

This year has been memorable, more than others. I started the school year with 9, then went to remote teaching for Christmas, then back up to 17, then the last 3 weeks to 28 a full class. The best times were when we had those small classes. There were so many stories to be told, a better chance for me as a teacher to get to know my students. As one of my students would say, I’m in a mood. I’ve been listening to Post Malone, I’m no good at goodbyes all day on repeat. Goodbye is such a sweet sorrow. I wish you good, and then bye. I know I will most likely never see these students again, 8th grade isn’t the same as High School where kids are much more aware. I calculated the time I spent with my students this year, being a covid year they were in my class much more than normal. On average 6 hours a day with the same people, you get to know their stories, their hurts, their joys, they share their life and I think that is what I like most about teaching. No more deep conversations, no more drama and now have to restart the whole process. Good – I hope my students, especially those who were my “favs” or the “originals” as they like to call them selves. I wish them good in EVERYTHING. I hope you have a good life, a good high school experience, good relationship, good friends, good times, good stories, I wish you all the good. Now for the Bye, it’s time to say Bye. I can’t really say see you later because I don’t know when later is, and that is why it’s bye. Bye to the good times. Bye to complaining of homework. Bye to the early morning talks. Bye to the constant Mr Negru asking for quiet in the halls. Bye to the I-ready class times(i’m sure you all are really happy about that one) Bye to the Constitution test. Bye to the hot classroom. Bye to the morning prayer and pledge. Bye to the lunch hour. I think by far that was one of the best things this year. Just having lunch in our room, eating together made this class more fun, and allowed us to be closer.

I must say that this year, my Class of 2021 has been one of my favorites. It will go down in the top 2. To my favs thank you for being you, for being awesome and making this class fun, bearable and interesting. Thank you for sharing your stories with me, for trusting me and for the friendships. To the class of 2021, most particularly my favs, I pray that you stay safe and that you always remember no work no points. Good Bye Class of 2021

By the way, who is going tell me about the new album releases? Who is going to tell me about new songs that put you in the mood? Who is going to tell me my analogies are bad? Who will I have left to stress out with pop quizzes? Who will come in the morning and ask for caramel? Who will come in the morning and light all my candles? Who will talk me out of giving so much homework? Who will ask Mr Negru to take pictures and the one that meant the most to me, Who will I ask for help and I know that you will not get in trouble. To the many times I asked you favs to do something and you did it, no hesitation, always with a smile, always with a helpful heart. Thank you. This year would not have been the same if ya’ll would have stayed remote learning. This list can go on but I must stop here because I’m still still upstairs in my room and I have to go set up for your graduation. Congratulations and please remember to keep in touch!