My Favorites

Whoever said that teachers don't have favorites is full of s***.

"WHAAAAAAAAAAT?" your eyes bug as you stumble back a few steps.

Sorry. I realize that was blunt.  However, I hope my bluntness has shocked you into seeing my truth.

All teachers have favorite students.  If a teacher tells you they don't, they are liars.  Or, failing that they are liars, they are around students who are NOT their favorites and feel uncomfortable and rude naming others as numero uno in front of numero whomp-whomp.

I don't have a favorite. "Boo, hiss, your a liar!" Did you really just say that to me?  You are not paying attention! I don't have A favorite.  I have many favorites!

Generally, I think that my favorite students are kids who I think that if I were also a student, I would be friends with.  Or, sometimes, my favorites are kids who are so quirky, funny, sarcastic, talented, smart etc beyond their years that they don't exactly fit the "norm", sometimes to the point of being an outcast from the peer group.  Now, maybe I would have also been friends with these kids, but, let me not fool myself, I wouldn't have understood these kids at that age either.

I have a few fav kids in grade 9.  These are kids who can talk to an adult, joke around, like interesting books, and are down-and-out fantastic people.  I have a couple favs in grade 10.  They are energetic, friendly, and kind.  I have a few favorites in grade 11.  They are creative, passionate, and witty.

But...sadly...most of my favorites are in grade 12.

Why does this get the big ol' suck-sticker?  Because they are graduating in about a week.  This means they wont be around anymore!

These boys and girls have been my greatest teaching pride, joy, and learning experience.  When I taught grade 8, I had a serious tight-knotted bond with a few of my students.  We were a honest and caring family.  But, until I taught last years grade 11s, I had never had the same type of respect and bond with an entire class of kids.

Now, not all of my fav kids were in the one class.  For example, one of my Japanese TAs is graduating this year.  However, the vast majority were from ONE wonderful class.  The smartest, kindest, wonderfullest girls I have ever met, hands down. (Hey girls, stay single a few more years.  I have a brother. We could be family?) The most thoughtful, courageous, talented, funny boys ever born (to the point where I have asked a mother to adopt me on multiple occasions). These kids had work-ethic second to none, abilities beyond my own, and a future so full they might need to skip lunch.  This isn't to say there weren't a few snafus (water-bottle anyone?) and times I yelled at them, but I am still lucky to have worked with them.

At last years graduation ceremony, I was proud. I had helped (I hope!) many struggling boys get their English credit to walk across that stage.  This year, I felt more than simple pride.  Sadness, for seeing these guys go.  Hope, knowing what they will do for the world.  Glee, the future is exciting for them. A million more emotions.

Congratulation to all my favorites! To the rest of you, you did go too I guess...