A story about feeling a little happy when asked, 'Teacher, aren't you going to be at the summer course?'

Today was the last class before the summer course for the grade I am in charge of.

(Although there are some grades that haven't finished yet, for some grades, the final week is for tests, so it was the last class.)

In the summer course, if I were to take on all the grades and subjects I usually handle, I wouldn't have the stamina for it. Since classes continue from morning until night every day, I would end up overworked. Therefore, I share the load with other teachers. This year, I was assigned to handle only junior high school mathematics, which is my specialty.

Since the classes will mainly be in the evening, I won't be able to see the elementary school students much during summer vacation. The next time I see them will be in the regular classes in the autumn after the summer course ends.

Normally, the instructors for the summer course are not supposed to be revealed to the students until the day of.

(There isn't a rule like that, but since the children are excited and waiting to see who their teacher will be, many teachers try not to tell them.)

Even so, this time, I told the children in advance, "I won't be in charge during summer vacation."

Then, I received a reaction greater than I had expected.

"What? You're not going to be our teacher?"
"That's a shame..."
"We can't see you during summer vacation?"

Hearing those words made me happy from the bottom of my heart.

Of course, I don't want to be popular.

Even so, knowing that there are children who think, "I want to take your class again," is the greatest encouragement for me as a cram school teacher.

Depending on the grade, I changed the final words I said to them slightly.

To the 6th graders and 3rd-year junior high students, I said,

"Summer is the time when the biggest differences are made. Study hard and try to get ahead of everyone else."

I told them.

On the other hand, to the other grades, I said,

"Finish your summer homework early, play a lot, and go make some fun memories."

I told them.

While studying is certainly important, I believe that experiences only possible during summer vacation are just as important for elementary and junior high school students.

Furthermore, one child even said this to me.

I'll be studying on my own, waiting for the time you arrive, teacher.

I couldn't help but think,

Is it really okay for me to be the motivation for your self-study?

and laughed to myself.

But whatever the reason, if they are sitting at their desks studying, that is something that truly makes me happy as an instructor.

When autumn comes, I will reunite with the children again.

For the students in exam years, their hard work over the summer will surely show on their faces.

As for the other grades, they might be a little tanned and tell me about their summer vacation memories, saying, 'Teacher, I went to a place like this!'

I am already looking forward to seeing how much the children have grown.

Today, I wrote about a casual day spent at the cram school, rather than my usual educational theories or more difficult topics.

Once in a while, a heartwarming story like this isn't bad either.

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