Lesson Learned✔

Epilogue

Aspen

12 years later...

They stared, I stared, a childish grin on all of their lips the longer we did that. I had to blink, one of them giggling as I did, my lips pulling into a grin because kids were tough to beat.

Looking up at the clock, I stood up for the door, knowing well that any second now the bell would ring and dismiss them all, marking the end of another school year.

Opening the door, I didn't wait long before the bell rang loud. My eyes trained on all my students as they all stood. "Alright kids-" I raised my arms- "Have a wonderful summer."

One by one, they made their way up front, Mila, a girl with red hair stopping before me first. Her grin big, eyes bright as she opened her hands for me, her small body pressing against mine as I enveloped her in a hug. "Bye Mrs. Keaton," she murmured softly, or as softly as a six year old could.

"You were the best teacher," she murmured quietly.

I had to swallow back tears, pulling away to pat her on the back. "You were a great student."

She beamed, content with my words before walking past me as another small figure appeared before me, Kayla hugging me too, her deep brown eyes a little tearful as she pulled away. "I'll miss you, Mrs. Keaton."

Again, I had to bite my tongue, had to blink away the tears because even when I only had these kids for eight hours a day, five days a week for almost three quarters of the year, I did bond with them. And each time it wasn't any easier, not when I knew some of the troubles many went through.

Kayla left with a soft grin, her fingers tightening around the straps of her bag as she walked out the door, another person wrapping their small arms around me. This time light brown hair reached my nose, Brian saying nothing as he pulled away quickly from the hug. He only turned back briefly, a sad smile on his lips, eyes red because he hated leaving.

It was like that, fifteen more kids hugging me and whispering sweet words into my ear. My throat clogging up because I was sad to see them all go, because even when I had taught them all in the curriculum, I knew I could have helped them more.

Nine years of teaching and it hadn't all been good or easy.

The first three years were hell, absolutely hell because I struggled with the students. Having a hard time to get them to listen, to have them get used to me, to find out what way I could help them so they could get immersed in each subject. I had actually wanted to quit several times but Chris stopped me, telling me that the things you want the most are worth fighting for.

So I kept working hard and the more I got to be around them, around my own kids, I started understanding more. I got the gist of teaching and learning how to do it, pushing myself so each of my students knew I was more than just an adult who was paid to teach them, but also a friend.

Small as they were, kids learned at young ages. And I didn't want them to be alone or suffer, I wanted them to progress in life.

In the beginning I didn't become a full time teacher the first year, no. Because I was aiming to teach first graders, I had to get some guidance because the first five years of school were the most important. So for a year I watched and learned until I was ready.