It’s hard to say goodbye.

My classroom at Harding was literally the place I realized I wanted to be a teacher. I was placed here my junior year for an interim field experience and I fell in love with the students, the community and the opportunity. It’s been five years and it’s hard to say goodbye. I am grateful to all of the incredible colleagues at Harding. These are people who speak up and show up for student rights, educator rights and aren’t afraid to speak truth to power.

I’m grateful for the hundreds of students I’ve taught in choir, piano, IB Music and EL World Music. Even on the days when I wanted to tear out my hair, a kid would come in and say something that made me laugh and I’d remember all over again why I loved what I did. Kids at Harding are the nicest and most empathetic students. It’s been an honor to learn about Hmong culture and create opportunities for students to have a classroom reflective of their lived experiences and perspectives.

It’s hard to say goodbye to students, but almost as hard to say goodbye to beloved colleagues. I was in a car accident three weeks before I started at Harding and called up Jen Greupner to tell her I’d need to resign - I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t drive. “Oh. I’ll pick you up. Where do you live?” Jen picked me up and drove us to work every day for several months, and Tim pushed my wheelchair around (gleefully) as he taught me the ropes. These are people who welcomed me, challenged me, listened and laughed. They have become family and they were a huge reason why I didn’t completely lose it over distance learning.

It’s hard to say goodbye to this job I have loved so much, but I as I head to a new position, I am endlessly thankful for the beautiful community of students, colleagues and found family at Harding High School. Once a Knight, Always a Knight.