FOR MY COOKE KIDS I will miss you!

SOME OF YOU REMEMBER ME FROM KINDERGARTEN OR FIRST GRADE… Yes, that is Mrs. Skinner’s classroom, fifth graders.

FOR MANY OF YOU I WAS A BRAND NEW FACE. You wondered who this new librarian was and if you would have any fun this year.

WELL, I SURE HAD FUN AND I HOPE YOU DID, TOO.

I WISH I COULD BE THERE FOR THE LAST LIBRARY DAY! Instead I am stuck doing inventory somewhere else.

SO I WANTED A CHANCE TO TELL YOU ALL… How proud I am of you when I see you working hard even when something is difficult. How happy I am that I was able to spend my first year teaching with you. That you have many gifts to share with the world now and in the future. What a blessing you have been to me. And now for some advice…

#1 PERSEVERE Believe in yourself and your ability to do what needs to be done. It might not be easy to do, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Hang in there! You can do it!

#2 TYPE LIKE THIS Seriously, I will know if you aren’t. Put your fingers on the home row!

#3 BE GOOD AND DO GOOD Make good choices. I will be at Steele for one morning a week and I had better hear good things about you! Be good! Do good things for others. Help people have a better day. The little things you can do add up to a lot of good in the world.

#4 READ! What kind of librarian would I be if I didn’t give this advice? There are hundreds of good reasons why! Here are four: You will get smarter and have a better vocabulary. You can escape reality for a time. You will be able to learn other things more easily. Reading is awesome.

#5 BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF AND OTHERS New things take time to learn. That is OK and normal—for everybody! New friendships take time to build. The things that take some time are usually the best when they are finished. Keep trying. Don’t give up on yourself. Keep encouraging your classmates and friends.

I AM SURE THERE IS MORE GOOD ADVICE… …but you are probably tired of hearing it right now!

SO, GOODBYE FOR NOW. I will see you around town and at school. I am so glad that I was able to teach you this year. My life would not be the same without you this year. To those of you who remember me back when I was Miss Gehring, an extra thank you. You inspired me to go back to school to become a teacher and librarian. I love you all! (Like a teacher. )

GOODBYE, DEAR STUDENTS! Narration by Mrs. Brakenbury Chattering by Luna Diablo Meowing by Nina Monster