Brenda & Paniel

"Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad; it's what you do in between that counts the most. ~ Author Unknown"

 Today I had the incredible joy of getting to photograph the senior portraits of two of my students. We were instantly hit by rain as soon as we set foot in the park where we wanted to take these photos. They were such great sports about it though, as they always are. Despite the crummy weather, we were able to accomplish at least a mini-session. All that said, let me tell you about these two incredible kiddos. 

This was my first year teaching ESL... Actually, this was my first year teaching ~period~ and I can honestly say that I had no idea what I was getting myself into when the first day of the school year rolled around. This year has taught me many a valuable lesson, not least of which is that your students can have a bigger impact on your life than you hope you're having on theirs. Brenda and Paniel in particular have been two of many kids from whom I got to learn about an entire culture I had never even known existed before this year, and about how important it is that we as people embrace the cultures of one another. It takes all kinds to make a world, and these guys (along with their friends) have definitely lit up mine this year. I am blessed to have been able to take their senior portraits today, and even more blessed to have been their teacher this year.