Adios Vera!

Wednesday and Thursday were my last days this week to say goodbye to all of my students and the teachers that I have had the pleasure of working with this past academic year. It was sad but it truly has been a joyful year together. I made sure to bring my camera so I could get many snapshots to share with you all.

 I brought fun summer activity worksheets for all of my classes during the last week. Above you can see my wonderful third graders at work.

 Here is a group shot with my third graders and my bilingual coordinator with whom I worked with in Science.

 Elisabet has been such a wonderful help this year and is just a great individual in which to share a classroom. I plan to return next year and definitely keep in touch as well.

 Before the class was over the presented me with a wonderful gift. Each student had drawn me a picture and written a message in English. Elisabet had them binded and made me a wonderful book to remember them by. They all ran up to hug me and I almost blend in with this group of nine year olds!!

Cristina was the English teacher I worked with for both of the fourth grade classes. We had done so many fun and exciting activities throughout the year. Singing Disney songs was probably one of my favourites. At the end of our last class she presented me with a silver bracelet with the symbol of luck for the province of Almería, the indalo. I never expected so much love and support from everyone.

 This is one of my fourth grade classes that I worked with in Science. They have been one of the most difficult groups to work with this year but their progress is really something to be proud of too.

 During recess we took many group shots and practiced my Spanish!

 After recess I had my last class with my sixth grade Science class. This class is very advanced in their English even if they would not like to admit it. They have been a wonderful group to work with and I am always baking them up treats to reward them for their hard work.

 This group of girls presented me with several gifts. They were so cute. I received four pairs of earrings, two bracelets, and a pair of sunglasses. I put on all of the gifts so I could take a picture with the girls.

 If you haven´t seen a trend already... for some reason people in Spain do not like to always smile in pictures. I think it looks so silly. I told my students this and they all laughed.

 Here is a group shot of this sixth grade class.

 Here are all the beautiful young ladies...

 and the handsome young men.

 I am hiding some where in the middle of this picture with one of my fifth grade classes. Can you find me?

 Here is my other fourth grade class, again very difficult but very rewarding.

 And lastly, my second fifth grade class! It truly has been an interesting and fun year with CEIP Ángel de Haro!

 Here is just a few of the goodbye letters that I received! Look at all of their English and artistry!

 ¨Goodbye teacher Sarah. You have been good a very good teacher. I´ll miss you¨ This was from a fifth grade boy that did not speak up much throughout the year but ran up and gave me this and a hug on my last day! So sweet.

 This was from a group of students and I think they were translating some poetry. Translating is very difficult, especially if you don´t know all of the structural differences but regardless this is some impressive English and makes me really proud!

 Everyday at school was an ego boost. Students are always telling me I am beautiful... even the days that I looked like I just woke up. haha

Not only did they impress me with their English but with their drawing work as well!

After school we had a little goodbye lunch with friends. We went to this little Italian restaurant the day we found our apartment. It was the first place we had eaten in Vera... and it was also to be the last. This place has phenomenal Italian and it was great company as well. Now of to the next journey. I recently found out that I will be teaching in Baeza, Jaen. This is a different province in Andalucia, the southern region in Spain. I was hoping to be placed in Sevilla with my boyfriend but this location is much closer, a three hour train ride, than I was this past year. It is a gorgeous little pueblo and a national historic site. But, for now I am enjoying my last two weeks in Sevilla before a three month trip back to the Pacific Northwest!