When I received the news in the summer of 2022 that the English teaching staff would not be returning in August, I was devastated. When we could only find ONE teacher who accepted an English teaching position, this left us in a precarious situation. How did it affect the only two English teachers for the school year? Well, we would have to take on more than we had expected.

In my particular case, I would have all the 11th and 12th graders (6 English sections). I would have only one free period to prepare and plan as best I could because I also had the technology course to teach.

When I ended up having to assume all the school’s English courses because the other teacher could not return after her maternity leave was up, well, you can imagine what my teaching load was like!

I did the best I could with what I had.

And this brings me to my reflection for this year: As I read your last listening and speaking activity I realized that you got more out of this year than last. It was only natural! I had a “bit” more time for you.

Despite everything that has happened (especially the closing of the school), I believe that most of you (with very few exceptions) took advantage of the time and got more out of the English course than the previous school year.

I admit to changing some of my teaching strategies. Under the circumstances, I felt I had to. It was all for your benefit, of course. Some of you took advantage of this, unfortunately others did not (thankfully, those were very few).

I honestly hope that your time with me as your English teacher for two consecutive years has been worthwhile. When you take other English courses in the future, will you be able to put to good use what you learned these past two years? It’s my desire that you do.

I only wish the best for all of you as you enter a new phase after graduating from high school.

My blessings to all! ~~LMMolina