And so it is

The time has come to close another year of school. What a year it has been... so much growth, and so much learning. This year was not so much filled with new cultural experiences as last year, but more so on challenges and breakthroughs in teaching. It was another year of self-reflection, new learnings, and defining of who I am and what my purpose is on this Earth, and here in Chevak.

As I sit here and think about the year, I think about how I always feel "at the end." I feel mixed emotions of sadness and happiness. I will miss my kiddos. The ultimate goal was accomplished-- I built another classroom family. We laughed, we shared, we cried, we made memories. I don't have children of my own, and I am just so thankful that I get to be a part of so many children's lives. I get to be a part of something big-- of molding, shaping, and watching my students grow. I am proud of each one of them for the accomplishments they made this year, and I am thankful that I got to be their teacher.

It is wild for me to think that I will be going on my third year of teaching in the fall-- so, so cool! With each year brings new memories, new learnings, and a better Miss Nelson. The students don't know it, but I grow and learn with them. And, it is awesome.

Chevak is such a special, unique place. I think about people that stand out to me and I think about what they have said and done to be so profound in my memory. There have been people have been patient and taught me to Eskimo dance (that took some time, but boy did I dance with pride once I got it). There are people who offered me steams, and oh how those humble you. You are completely nude. Stories are shared, laughter is had, and a physical and spiritual cleansing occurs. It is a time to share and be totally naked (I mean that more than in the literal sense). I think about people who invited me out to camps and out fishing... how great to be in the fresh outdoors. There is a fresh air you get in Chevak that you can't get in the city. One of my favorite smells is walking about town and smelling a maqi starting up. So, so nice. I also think about the gals that invited me to play ball with them... the gussuk with no skill or experience prior, yet they encouraged me to play and I even scored! Very, very cool. I think about the ladies who call me up for Pictionary nights and how much better I've gotten at that game! :) They do it different here... we act out the words, rather than draw. Try acting out orbit or Ireland... we have our moves. lol.

All of these experiences have been so big for me. They have shown me what it is to love without walls, to encourage and take someone in without reservation, to try new things and have a healthy confidence in doing so. I have always been known as a risk-taker... pretty audacious... but, still. There are things that I would not have done if it weren't for the people out here that were willing to take risks with me. For that, I am really, truly thankful.

What a journey it has been thus far.

Next year, I am fortunate in that I will be teaching second grade again (YAY!). This will be my fourth year with this grade group and my third year teaching solo. It will also be my first full year of my grad classes. I will get to study more in-depth Cross-Cultural Education. I am excited to see how that will unfold before my eyes. Every experience I have had in Chevak will contribute to my research project... I am confident that, slowly, it will narrow down and my focus will become very, very clear.

Chevakers, thanks for another year and enjoy your summer. As for me, I will be in Anchorage for most of the holiday, but will make my way to Colorado and Costa Rica, as well. Looking forward for some downtime and seeing my family and city friends.

Thanks for following my blog,
Misty

"If" by Rudyard Kipling

One of our high school seniors read this poem at his graduation on Friday. So glad he found such inspiring words to share... definitely spoke to me. I think I have heard it before, but still, gotta love it. CONGRATS c/o 2010!!!

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!