Dear Students,
I know this year hasn’t been easy. In fact, it’s been one long rollercoaster ride with more twists, turns, and loops that any of us could have ever imagined but now that our year is coming to a close, I am so glad you stuck with me on this crazy unpredictable ride.
When the year started, I honestly had no idea how it would go. We knew we couldn’t be in person at school to keep each other safe but starting 8th grade on Zoom was less than ideal. I met a handful of you virtually those first couple days of school but wasn’t surprised when the cameras turned off and more names in black boxes appeared.
As a teacher, I thrive off the energy and interactions in our classroom that was absent on Zoom. Without seeing you, I had no idea how you were doing, if you were understanding what I was teaching, or even if you liked me or computer science. I reached out to you on email and through chat. Maybe you responded, maybe you didn’t. I missed being in school and seeing your faces.
But you did the work, messaged me in chat, sent me emails, and I was so grateful. You were really there building websites and coding interactive animated games. Seeing your work and knowing that you were learning made me SO happy because honestly, there were days that I struggled. Thanks for reminding me of my purpose and why I love teaching.
Like you, I was nervous when I heard that schools would be reopening. Your safety was my top concern and I understand why some of you have decided to stay home and continue learning virtually. It makes me sad to know I missed time with in-person, but I get it. I had the same concerns for my own two teens as they went back to school.
For those who have returned to school, I’ve appreciated learning little things about you just by sharing the same space. I hope you’ve gotten to know me better too! BTW- Thanks for asking me about the number of Twitter followers I have and if I have merch. The answer is still no but you never know now that I have a Cricut!
Perhaps you’ve realized I’m quick to laugh at the ridiculous things you say, I hate staring at the small Chromebook screen to help you troubleshoot code, and I seem taller online. In fact, most of you are much taller than I am!
Whether you’ve been learning in person or on Zoom, I hope you know how much I care about you and your learning. I’ve truly loved learning with you this year and appreciate you.
All year I’ve treated you like the high schoolers you’re about to become. It’s going to be a big transition, especially as we look to returning to in-person full time, but you’re ready!
This year you’ve demonstrated that you’re ready for whatever life, and the world, throws at you. You are champions of working through difficult situations and persevering. High school may be a challenge but it won’t be anything like a year of virtual math or online PE!
As you move on, I hope you’ll keep in touch. There’s nothing teachers love more than hearing from former students and I’m always just an email or IG DM away. If you’ve been following me on Instagram this whole time, sorry I didn’t follow you back. I’ll do that as soon as the year officially ends and I’m no longer your teacher.
That last part about not being your teacher anymore part makes me sad but we did it! We survived the craziest year I hope you’ll ever have in the 12 years before graduating high school.
Congratulations 8th graders! Go do amazing things in high school and beyond. Don’t forget to keep in touch because this isn’t goodbye! And Goldie the Dog says hi!
All my love,
-Mrs. Barr
(aka @TechSavvyMama)
