Saying Goodbye

At the end of the last day of school all of the teachers rush outside to line the street near the building. We wave to all the cars and buses as they head out for the final time for the year. Parents wave enthusiastically back and children practically hang out the windows of the buses screaming goodbyes. It's the most wonderful tradition.

I have no idea how I managed to look this happy in this picture. I was weepier today than I have been on any other last day of school in my ten years of teaching. I don't know if it is because I am moving to the primary grades so this feels more final or if there is some other factor. I loved this group of students, but I've loved them all. I worry for some of these students, but that's also true every year. I am so proud of the work we've done this year and so frustrated by the things we didn't do. But, yet again, always true. We had a wonderful year together.