Last class with Arya

The last week had been difficult. Last week there was a ceremony for one of my students, Arya (pseudonym). According to me this was a cash grab ceremony so that the student continues with our platform. During the ceremony Arya had told us that she did not wish to continue. For me it was the end of the discussion. For the platform it was a challenge which they wanted to overcome. There were discussions going on here and there however they did not result into anything fruitful. Arya had already made up her mind.

So yesterday was her last class. At 3 o'clock I opened my laptop. I was preparing for the last class for Arya. I had mixed feelings towards the last class. It was neither sadness or happiness but it was more about the disappointment and the uncertainty of future. I was disappointed because she had said that she like to my learning but she did not like the restrictions imposed by the platform. The uncertainty was because completion of course without renewal for any student is taken negatively at the platform. However I watch still not worried about that.

It was 3:10. The class was going to begin in next 5 minutes. I had taken my position and check the camera settings. I was completely equipped for the last class for Arya. However I felt I was not completely emotionally ready for last class. I had decided that I am going to fake happiness. I am going to smile. I am not going to say things like you will regret this in the future or in the future you will think that you wish you had continued (something earlier said by the sales team). I had decided that I am not going to demotivate or discourage her for making a decision for her own academics.

At sharp 3:15 Arya joined the class. Per useful I will come tomorrow to the class and informed her that this is going to be our last class. I also tried to lighten up the environment by asking her about her school. I asked her if she like the vacation or the school more. I asked her what she enjoyed during the summer vacation. I was asking her this questions to take the attention away from the decision towards not continuing with our platform. Then we started with our learning in the class. The class went ahead as it was expected. I thought her the concepts, I practiced exercises with her, I gave her certain topics for inpromptu writing, and that is how one hour was completed. While ending the class I again told her that the journey ends here. I informed her that I enjoy it having her in my class. In future if she wishes to connect with me she could do so. Also in future if she decided to re join the platform she would have that opportunity as well.

When we were about to end Arya words smiling awkwardly and uncomfortably. I asked her if she wanted to tell me anything. She said thank you and then she ended the class. Now I was not expecting a big farewell speech from Arya however I had expected a 13 year old student to speak more than just thank you. However it was I believe it was the end of one face of life. This was a funny journey with Arya and probably I may never meet her in future. I know she would never get to read this but from the bottom of my heart I want to wish her all the best for her future.