Yesterday was the last day of school for students, and we ended our year with a virtual talent show and awards day celebration. We truly had such a great time together.
I created a poem (with a little help) about our year, and while reading it, I became so emotional that I had to turn my camera off just to get myself together. I’ve never been this emotional on the last day of school before - and I've left three schools during my career. I can laugh about it now because my students were saying, “I think she’s frozen!” after calling my name and getting no response. 😂
But this was such an unusual year, and these students showed up every single day. They worked hard, attended office hours for extra help, and sometimes just came back online to spend time with each other. Even my students who returned to the States stayed committed. One student attended a local school during the day and still came home to complete not only her homework there, but our homework too - without missing a single assignment. I’m incredibly proud of all of them because this wasn’t easy. It was hard for me, so I know it was hard for them too.
One of my families who left during the war also returned to Kuwait yesterday. The mother originally planned for her daughter to try logging in online while they were in the air, but I told her not to worry about it. The fact that she wanted to be there meant so much to me.
Another parent shared that her child had set an alarm to wake up for the celebration but accidentally slept through it. These kids were really trying to show up for their friends. It wasn’t their parents making them log on - they made that decision themselves. And honestly, I just found it so admirable that 9-year-olds were willing to set alarms for 1:30 a.m. just to try to see their classmates one more time. Unfortunately, they didn’t make it online, but it truly was the thought that counted.
I’m already looking forward to August when I can hopefully see everyone in person again, give hugs, offer reassurance, and send them confidently into 4th grade. I know many other families are planning to return as things have finally started to quiet down. Prayerfully, it stays this way.
And in more hopeful news, Kuwait’s airport just announced that international flights will begin operating again starting June 1st. We have a flight booked for June 16th, and prayerfully, we’ll be on it. ✈️🙏💜
