Yesterday I served as part of my 7th graduation ceremony at WIHS. I watched as some students I've had the opportunity to teach accepted their diplomas with a smile and look to the future and a look behind. I watched as they shook the hands of distinguised guests. I watched as they exited the stage and exhaled a giant sigh of relief and accomplishment. The past 3 years, more so, have meant more to me as I have had the pleasure of watching these students grow and mature into the people they are today. It is my hope that I have been able to give these students something of value. I hope that they remember words that were once passed onto me. I feel many have taken something away as I continue to watch their lives unfold with interest. Many embark on new paths that lead them into furthering their education or to serve others in one field or another. I am blessed to have this opportunity to know and be a part of the lives of such outstanding young people.
But as I spend these past few days reflecting I can only think of those students who never experienced achievement as others have. There are those that have not had the support as others have. There are those that could not handle adversity like others have. There are those that never stood a chance. I wonder where their paths have taken them. I can only think of the ones still to come that will suffer the same fates.
As this summer vacation begins I feel there are many things that I personally would like to improve upon. Teachers get a bad rap because they are only 10 month employees and cuts to education, to some, are justified. Know that I will be making the necessary efforts to see the strife and potential in all. I am not putting myself above others but doing the best that I can to be a help to others...and I think that's all anybody ever asks.
