Knowing that I would be leaving in the middle of the year, I told myself that I should not become attached to you all at the beginning of the year. However, within the first week, I was calling all of you (yes, all of you) "my kids."
As I step out of the role of your teacher, I wanted to tell/remind you of a couple of things:
1. The pencil sharpener really does not work. I am not sure why some of you keep trying. We all know that your pencil will not sharpen, so sharpen it before you come to class.
2. Just shut up and do your stinkin' bell-ringer! There will be many times in life where you don't want to do the task ahead of you--just do it. There are some assignments that are not fun--do them! If you are asked to do something--do it!
3. Be good to one another. You have another half-year with one another. Be patient. Laugh with one another. If you are laughing at someone, at least make them think that you are laughing with them. Be supportive--do not cut other people down. There are some people who are just plain annoying--be patient. There are people in your life who have had to be patient with you. There are people who are simply unkind--kill them with kindness.
4. Ms. Brown is not me. I know this may come as a surprise to some of you. There are so many things that Ms. Brown will do better than me. Give her a chance (or two or three or four)--she is giving each of you a chance. She does not have a history with you. She does not have an opinion of you already. Use that to your advantage.
5. You will always have someone who is cheering for you, concerned about you, and praying for you. I come off as a sarcastic jerk. I am a sarcastic jerk. But this sarcastic jerk is concerned about your life. This sarcastic jerk wants the best for you. This sarcastic jerk expects you to be the best version of yourself.
6. Do good things; make me proud. While having a 4.0 and never getting in trouble is great, what would really make me proud is that you are a good person. There is a lot of darkness in the world; be the light. Edison is full of followers; be a positive leader. Do not be a passive person; be a change-agent for good.
I expect to hear from you (either through the remind texts, e-mail, or instagram). If you ever need help with an assignment, some life advice, or just someone to vent to, I am available; just send me a message.
I will be writing in my personal blog (jtspivy.blogspot.com) during my time in Honduras if any are interested in reading. It may give you an idea why I am going there.
I leave you with a quote from Mother Teresa. It is something that I have returned to throughout my life.
"People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway."
Do good things. Make me proud.
Mr. Spivy
