Day 179: New York

During class on Monday, one of my most enthusiastic students told me that she was going to New York next week. She was just so pumped about it, she was jumping up and down and giggling. I was way excited for her and so happy to see her so giddy about it. I immediately wrote her a colorful note to put in her absence folder that her teacher would give her on Friday to let her know of some places she had to check out while she was in New York. I told her Krispy Kreme and Grey's Papaya were musts, as was FAO Schwartz! ;)

I'd forgotten all about her journey until I saw her today at recess and she came bounding up to me, squealing  about how she was leaving for New York tomorrow.

"Oh my gosh! I completely forgot! Are you super excited!?" I started jumping up and down with her.

"Yes! I am! And you know what? I'm going to bring you back a cupcake because you said you miss them. And I'm going to bring you a cupcake from New York for your birthday, because your birthday is in April!" she beamed, jumping up and down even faster.

Aaaand then my heart melted. <3

Man, I love these kids.

As she ran off to continue playing with her friends (after giving me a GIANT bear hug goodbye), I ran up to her classroom to add Magnolia Cupcakes to the list of places she couldn't miss while in New York City! ;) Duh - how'd I forget the most important one!?!?

I went into her class to put the note in her agenda myself (I couldn't have her teacher forgetting!! This was important business!!), but I couldn't find her desk anywhere. I searched that whole 3rd grade classroom, until I realized she must be in the other class. Sure enough, she's a 2nd grader - NOT a 3rd grader.

I was floored.

This girl talks with such fluency and such excitement in English that NO WAY did I think she could possibly be only 7!! I rush of pride came over me as I realized I had absolutely no fears sending this little second grader off to the Big Apple. I can just imagine how much fun she is having there right now and how much English she's using and knocking the SOCKS off her parents with how amazing she is at it!! I'm so excited for her stories when she gets back in a week and a half, and hope she brings lots of pictures!! ^_^

It just feels like all my silly little hour long classes per wee aimed at getting the lil kids pumped about America and English... and all those afternoon recesses filled with squealing children group hugging me and giggling and telling me all about their lives and asking what our next class will be about... I feel like it's all actually meant something. I feel like it's all actually enhanced the students' experience of the language and culture. I feel like I've succeeded in making it more of a game to get excited about than another school subject to find pedantic.

Yay!!

XOXO