By Oyekunle Akinyemi
English Language Teacher
The end of the year invites us to slow down—not to stop, but to notice. In the classroom, movement is constant: lessons pile into weeks, weeks blur into terms, and by December, we realize just how far our students have journeyed. Looking back gives meaning to that journey; moving forward gives it purpose.
This year, I have watched students transform in ways that cannot always be measured by tests and grades. Growth showed up in courage, in confidence, and in curiosity. It was visible in the shy student who now volunteers to read aloud, the persistent learner who asks thoughtful questions, and the group who learned to listen to each other with respect rather than compete to be heard. These small milestones, often unnoticed in the rush of academic expectations, are worth celebrating.
Reflection also invites us, as educators, to acknowledge our own growth. We taught through challenges we didn’t expect, embraced new strategies, and refined old ones. We adjusted, learned, and persevered. Every moment of patience, every extra explanation, and every encouragement we gave has shaped the identities and possibilities of young learners. Teaching is both a job and a gift, and December reminds us of its impact.
Moving forward means carrying the lessons with us: that learning is a partnership, that every child grows at their own pace, and that the classroom is as much a space for building character as it is for building knowledge. It means beginning the new term with renewed energy—not because teaching becomes easier, but because it becomes clearer. We see how far we’ve come, and we understand why the journey matters.
As we celebrate the year’s achievements, both big and small, we honor effort, resilience, and progress. We step into the future not only with plans and goals, but with appreciation for the year that shaped us. May the coming year find us still learning, still leading, and still growing together.
