Jun
03

A Digital Goodbye

Filed Under (blogging, general) by Lee Kolbert on 03-06-2010

Today is the last day of school and what a great year it’s been! My students brought me many gifts this year. The spontaneous cards and posters they created and many very generous gift cards and candles, mugs, beach bags and other items that I truly love. I recognize that, unlike many deserving teachers in the world, I’m very lucky to teach in such an affluent, generous and highly supportive community.

Then there were other gifts that didn’t come in colorful bags with tissue paper. Those were the gifts that showed me my students were learning and that they wanted to learn more. The gifts of interest, growth, kindness and eagerness. These are the gifts that teachers value the most; like when we recognize that we’ve reached our students in some special way.

Alayna surprised me with a lovely gift today. She brought me this video she created that was inspired by some recent projects we created in class. She said it only took her about an hour to create from start to finish but I think it must have taken her much, much longer. She did an awesome job and we all loved watching it in class. It’s the perfect digital send-off for our class blog. Enjoy!



10 Comments Already, Leave Yours Too

Bob Cotter on 3 June, 2010 at 10:41 pm #
    

I remember reading you post about the excitement/trepidation of returning the classroom. Congratulations on a successful year, a lot of which I can assume came from you using wonder teaching skills that you used to have an opportunity to show to adults before you made the decision to return to the class. Have a great break and a super start to next school year.


Dorie Glynn on 3 June, 2010 at 10:42 pm #
    

Agreed! Very special. =0)

I have loved watching your student’s ‘Explanations in Plain English’. Great idea!


Michael Summers on 3 June, 2010 at 11:20 pm #
    

What a charming post and video! Well done to you both.


Mrs. Honeysett on 4 June, 2010 at 12:58 am #
    

Great stop-motion animation, Alayna… what a touching send off to your teacher and classmates. :-) We still have 18 days to go in my grade one class… Have a happy summer!


Karen Bosch (karlyb) on 4 June, 2010 at 6:47 am #
    

Isn’t that the best ever – to take what she learned to make a thank you for you!


Helen Zeitzer on 4 June, 2010 at 7:04 am #
    

Dear Lee,

I have to tell you how very proud I am of you and that I enjoyed reading your sendoff blog as well as watching Alayna’s video which is tribute to you.

Love,

Aunt Helen


Cheryl Watford on 4 June, 2010 at 9:22 am #
    

I loved the video.. excellent send off and shows how great a teacher you were to show them how easy it is to create their own stories on video!!


Brooke on 6 June, 2010 at 11:30 pm #
    

That is really clever and very inspiring! Well Done


Arlene Stein on 10 June, 2010 at 1:06 pm #
    

Excellent job!! Loved the video!


Paola Cáceres on 30 July, 2010 at 5:54 am #
    

Professor Kolbert:
I am university student in Chile and I have explored your blog for a task of English
I liked the way you teach science to their students
I enjoyed reading your blog (^.^)