Primary & Secondary School,
South Australia
In my first year of teaching there was a Year 6 class that I had for Chinese language. They were known for their ability to derail any lesson; funnily enough, this was the only thing the group would collaborate on.
They rose to challenge my every attempt to engage them and tested me at every turn. However, over time mutual respect began to develop as I got to know them all as individuals. Whilst tidying up at the end of the year, we found an old jar and they were insistent that they needed it for something.
Although I had written their final reports, I still felt there was more to say so I wrote them each a short note. Later that afternoon we gathered together for a farewell and I presented them with the notes I had written. To my surprise they returned with my jar, full to the brim with a note from each of them! I know I can reach into that jar at random and find a note from someone whom I had the privilege both to teach and to learn from.
