My 'Special' Student

I have no clue at all that I will be touched by something today..

Today, my former student who has been in level B kindergarten now was celebrating her 5^th birthday. Honestly, I didn’t remember at all because I'm not her teacher in the class anymore and my work place is in playgroup, which is in the different building with her class.

She was my ‘special’ student in my first year working as a playgroup teacher. I said special because I guess she was involved with my choice to work here as I have no basic at all to teach kids around 3-4 years old and she didn’t even 3 at the time. She was so young between her peers and the most difficult student at my class.

I had to be more and more patient toward her. And I also admit it that sometimes I was so exhausted to face her with her ‘extraordinary’ habit and attitude. I kept asking myself, why do this kid is so hard to be handled? Why I have to be her teacher? Why me? Why and so many why...

I couldn’t find the answer directly until she had to continue her study to the next level in level A kindergarten. Though I had so many gloomy and upset times with her, I missed her a lot J

If we met in the kindergarten building, she would shout my name *Ms. Erniiiii :D* loudly yet I couldn’t believe she was 4^th years at the time. Then I remembered I talked to myself, if I could through those past year behind well especially with someone like her, why should I worry about my new student? It was just I had someone in my class at the time with another ‘extraordinary’ attitude and made me sad. I was reminded how hard I tried to understand the real ‘her’ and suddenly after she was not my student anymore, I got new challenging student again last year.

And so the story goes on, last year has ended and thank God I can through it well J

Now, I have 15 new students again with their uniqueness. Though I feel this year is much easier to get close with these children, I also have hard times to handle them sometimes. But, again and again I remember her...

Back to what was happening today; I was in my class until her mom came and gave me a souvenir. I asked her what is this all about and she said her daughter was celebrating her 5^th birthday. I was so surprised and my special student appeared.

She was walking toward me with her cute pink dress and a big smile on her face. I gave her a hug and congratulated her. I asked her, how old is she and she said “Five”, proudly. I looked at her and realized how time moves fast.

It was just like yesterday she was screaming in this building and refused to join the class activities.

It was just like yesterday she was asking me to carry her every time she cried.

It was just like yesterday I chose to let her did what she wanted and didn’t talk to her much because I almost gave up to coax her but she suddenly became really nice and knew she was wrong.

It was soooooo like yesterday :’)

What makes me feel more touched is how her mom treats me really nice. I mean, this is not because souvenir or gift or present. This is because every time we meet she always try to call me and sometimes just waving her hands to me or smiling.

This thing is really precious to me J

If I look back, I had so many hard times with her. But, I know I will never have this feeling if I didn’t face it. And the feeling is good, touched and happy :)