Saying goodbye :(

I think that one of the hardest parts of my job is saying goodbye to my students. Most of my kids will be returning next year but 2 of them are moving on to high school. One of these two is Karen. Karen has been with me for just this year and has grown into such a beautiful young woman. I am going to miss the quirky questions, the off the wall comments and most of all her care and compassion she shows to everyone she meets. She always will greet me with a smile and a creative reenactment of her previous day or weekend. Her positive view on life and her ambition to try EVERYTHING will get her far and will delight anyone she comes into contact with in the future.
Jesus is my other 8th grader leaving me and this is the one that brings tears to my eyes these past weeks every time I see him. I have had Jesus for three years since he entered my classroom in 6th grade and even though moving on is best for him I am not sure if I am ready. Jesus has these huge beautiful eyes that will melt anyones heart and the first day I met him that is exactly what happened. When Jesus first came to me his English was almost non-existent. He was very shy, confused and scared. Although born in the U.S. he spent most of his life in Mexico and returned to Atlanta at the end of 4th grade. Unfortunately Jesus was misplaced and did not receive appropriate special education instruction. When he arrived at my school he was scheduled for mostly reg ed classes with a few resource settings. It did not take but a week to conclude this was not appropriate for him and he was re-assessed and correctly placed in my MOID class. Since then, Jesus has grown into such an incredible young man (who now speaks English!) with an untiring ambition to learn everything life has to offer him. He strives for independence and even though it has been hard (only for my emotions :)) I have given him every chance to grow. Mr. Roldan is a Spanish teacher at my school who has taken Jesus under his wing. Even though Jesus has never been scheduled to be served in his class, Roldan has taken it upon himself to work with him every single day during his planning to give him a male role model which he lacks at home. He includes Jesus at times in his classes and gives him the life and social skills I could never equip him with. I am so glad and lucky to be working with a staff that recognizes these needs in my students and will go out of their way to help make my students successful.
Not having children, I think of each child as my own kid and only want the best for each one. Jesus has been that special kid to me that I will never forget. It is almost impossible to say I have a favorite but one can conclude. I am close with the high school MOID teacher and am extremely comfortable and assured he will be served, not just appropriately but with the care and concern that I was able to give to him as well. I am so proud of Jesus and look forward to hearing the success that he will continue to show with the years to come. Every special ed teacher I speak to says it will get easier with the years, I have strong doubts though :) I am finishing my 5th year and trust me, it has not gotten any easier. 
I will miss my babies very, very much but am so excited for the opportunities that await each of them. No one ever said special education was an easy job! (except maybe for some regular ed teachers!!! lol )