Over the past few weeks, friends have asked if I feel melancholy about the school year coming to a close. My answer has been a resounding “No!” I’ve been eagerly anticipating the lazy summer days ahead, filled with mornings in pajamas and packing away the lunch boxes for a couple of months (I truly loathe making lunches).
Yet, as the week progressed, my fifth grader celebrated his final moments of elementary school with various parties: a robotics team gathering, a safety patrol celebration, and a special kickball game exclusively for fifth graders. I watched you, Ms. Green, join in on the fun, sprinting around the kickball field while a swarm of children chased the ball, aiming to tag you out. Your laughter filled the air as you missed the base, and it warmed my heart.
Last Friday marked the fifth-grade party—a cosmic bowling event where the sounds of Taylor Swift echoed through the venue, and fifth-grade girls donned matching neon shirts while belting out lyrics. I chuckled when I saw you dive into the photo booth with your fellow teachers, capturing memories with silly poses.
In the autumn, my youngest asked me to join him in the photo booth, and I hesitated. This time, I took the initiative and asked my tall, growing ten-year-old to pause his pizza and bowling to snap a picture with me. The little boy who used to nestle on my chest has transformed; now he’s a toddler perched on my hip. This year has truly illustrated how swiftly time passes and how drastically my children evolve, sometimes overnight. I no longer hold back from capturing moments or sharing spontaneous hugs.
Recent events have underscored your vital role in my children’s lives and mine, extending beyond mere academics. I learned that when tragedy strikes, teachers will go to great lengths, even risking their own lives, to protect their students. When a school is ravaged by disaster, educators will shield their pupils with their own bodies. Following the harrowing tornado in Oklahoma, I reflected on how parents outside the school were not the only ones affected; you too would have been concerned about your own child, unable to reach them while you safeguarded mine.
Thank you. It feels inadequate, yet it’s all I have. Thank you for dedicating this year to my child, possibly the last year I can genuinely refer to him as a child. Your nurturing of his passion for learning means the world to me. I appreciate the Friday dance parties, the reading breaks, and the assignments that sparked his interest in current events. Thank you for encouraging him to participate in essay contests and pushing him beyond the standard curriculum. Your high expectations were balanced by understanding when he needed grace. I cherish the day you sent me a photo from a field trip, knowing I was far away and missing him, with a note saying, “We’re having a great day.”
Tomorrow morning, the boy I once dropped off at preschool—watching from the parking lot, tears rolling down my cheeks—will graduate from elementary school. He’s still my little one, but he’s on the verge of growing up. I sense that we are entering a new chapter, the autumn of his childhood, and my time with him is becoming more limited. I am endlessly grateful for this past year—a year filled with joy, countless books, and newfound independence—a year spent alongside you. He may be unaware of the challenges awaiting him in middle school, and honestly, I am unsure as well. But that’s okay. We will both navigate this journey and be fine, albeit a bit overwhelmed at first.
So, thank you for everything: for your humor, your boundless patience, and the immense dedication you’ve shown to my child. Most importantly, thank you for embracing him for who he is, as that gift may not always be available to him elsewhere. He was fortunate to share your classroom, and so was I.
What I Actually Said to My Son’s Fifth-Grade Teacher at Graduation
“Thank you, Ms. Green. Enjoy your summer!”
This narrative originally appeared in the Huffington Post.
Summary: The author reflects on their son’s fifth-grade experiences and the impactful role of his teacher, Ms. Green. They express gratitude for the nurturing environment she provided, emphasizing the important lessons learned and cherished moments shared throughout the year. As the author prepares for their son’s graduation, they acknowledge the bittersweet transition from elementary school and the excitement for what lies ahead.