Graduation

Students bow to the principal as they receive their diplomas.

Graduation here is a very momentous occasion, very formal. Teachers are all dressed up in formal suits, and it seems like every mother of a graduating student came (only a couple dads though, interestingly), handkerchief at the ready, and all descended into tears when (before, during, after) their child's turn came.

I go to two middle schools; unfortunately, they operate on the same schedule, so I could only attend one graduation--also unfortunately, I wound up at the school where I felt less connected to my students. I found myself a little emotional too, in part because I empathized with all the emotion in the students (many of whom were crying themselves) and the parents, but also in part because I realized that I couldn't see the students I had really connected with and then felt guilty because I realized I hadn't been doing well enough by the students at this school.

At any rate, the day was theirs, not mine, but I appreciated being able to be a part of it all, however small.

Later, I got yearbooks from both schools--and my other school had gone so far as to produce a DVD of the proceedings, which I got a copy of. (I've yet to watch it). The best, though, was the copy of one of the graduating classes' memory book--filled with pages from the students themselves (CTY folk might see the similarity). It was from one of my favorite classes, and on one of the pages there were notes for me that really made my day:

"Dear Matt-sensei,
at first I was nervous but then I enjoyed talking to you. Since I met you, I like English more. Thank you.
-Shihori"

"Dear Matt-sensei,
I LOVE YOU
-Kota"