It was the last day of the semester right before Christmas break. We had just finished our final activity and students were munching on cookies and cold drinks. As always, we ended our semester with a party; after all high school students enjoy parties, too. This had been an exceptional group of young people. Just days before, I told a group of teachers that if I had hand picked the students in that class I couldn’t have created the wonderful chemistry that existed. They were every speech teacher’s dream.
This would be my last day with this group. Since we were on accelerated block scheduling every nine weeks students changed classes. They would get new schedules when we returned and occasionally I would see them; students love to come by. I had made the decision that this would be my last year to teach. No one knew except my husband about my decision to retire. As I sat watching this group I felt blessed to have had the opportunity to teach them.
I was sitting at my desk completely immersed in reading all the nice notes they had written when I sensed someone behind me. I realized the room was exceptionally quiet; too quiet for high school students especially the last day before break. As I glanced up all eyes were fixed on me. Faces appeared eager with anticipation! The CD player clicked. I felt a tap on my left shoulder as the slow country melody filled the air.
“May I have this dance?” echoed into a now very still room. I looked up to see an extended hand and a smiling face. My eyes went first to the young boy then to all the eyes watching. I smiled, and as I rose from my chair students threw caution to the wind. Cell phones were suddenly thrust from pockets and purses and lights were snapping! It was a red carpet event!
Placing my hand into his, awkwardly he confessed, “ Mrs. Jimerson there is one problem; I can’t dance but I’ve told you all semester that I was going to dance with you.” Laughing I equally confessed, “I can’t dance either.” But we swayed and twirled for a couple of turns as a room filled with high school kids clapped and cheered.
As the last person filed out that day it was bitter-sweet. It’s always good to go out on a good note and this group not only made teaching fun but they reminded me of why I was a teacher. There are students who still want to learn. Every day had been a joy with these students. I hoped they had learned as much from me as I had learned from them. They taught me there is still goodness in the world and it lives in the hearts and minds of many of our young people. The future does look bright because of what they will do and become. God has a wonderful plan for them and I’ll always be grateful He allowed me to be a small part.
I’ll always remember that class. They taught me to dance. And they have pictures to prove it!
‘ There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven……A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance.’
Eccles.3: 1,4
