Today was the last day of school for Forest Lake. Tomorrow is graduation. We (they?) started school in early August to make room for construction, and today, they get to be done.

I have watched the school news and town news through social media posts from friends still living and teaching there, and I know it’s been a rough year. I cried when the levy failed in November, knowing how devastating that was to the entire system and how personal it felt to my friends there. My colleagues all had to move to new classrooms in the middle of the year, right at Christmas break, which made things stressful. Then came the prom snowstorm and all the sadness and disappointment for everyone who worked so hard to make it a great night. I know the budget cuts hit the teaching staff and hurt the morale these last couple months.

I will be there in spirit as so many of my awesome students graduate tomorrow. My former colleagues and students deserve a long summer more than almost anyone else I know right now. They need some time for reflection, for recuperation, for rest.

Leaving Forest Lake in the middle of the year was one of the biggest risks I’ve taken in my career, and even though it’s been seven months, I am still dealing with a lot of emotion. Let me be clear: more and more, I am certain it was the right choice for me – I am growing as a teacher and I am less anxious as a person. Still, there is some sadness, which I suppose is normal, since I was there for almost 15 years. I felt guilty off and on this year. I miss my friends at Forest Lake.

I hope they are able to breathe and enjoy the early summer break. ❤