It was sad news indeed when Jelena announced that she was returning to Serbia in grade 10. I always enjoyed having her in my class and she was always a strong math student. But HAPPY DAY - she returned to us this year! What a pleasant surprise when her brother (who I had never met previously) walked into my PreCalculus 10 class one day.
Me: Wait a minute. Does this mean that Jelena is back at KG too?
Petar: Yes.
Me: YAY! YAHOO! WHOOPEE!! (or something like that)
Jelena sort of surprises you (or at least me) when you talk to her. For the most part, she is pretty quiet. She's not the sort of person to come bounding into class calling "HEY MR WADGE!!), for example. But when I DO talk with her, she is always very thoughtful and interesting... and funny! She's an intriguing mix of reserved / quiet and wise / rebel. Kind of like when she dyed / shaved her hair a few years back. Who saw that coming?!?
One last thing about Jelena: she strikes me as being a good friend. She sits with so many different students in my class and she is always laughing with them, helping them with their work (patiently) and encouraging them. Such a great person!
So glad I got to teach you Jelena. And I am truly thankful that I got to teach you AGAIN this year after a year overseas. I remember Skyping (on a student's account) with you in class (while you were away) and it made me sad to think "I'll never get to see her again". But I did after all! Lucky, lucky me!!