Hackerspaces and makerspaces can look very different depending on who is running them and mine was an open tech and digital media workshop. So I had students learning game design, website design, 3D modeling, video production, and a lot of experimentation. My goal was to help my students discover and play with new technology and learn that they too could make cool stuff. Visiting the Maker Faire in NY was definitely a highlight of my time with these students.
It’s always difficult to leave something in the middle of a cycle. In this case I’m leaving in the middle of the school year and I wish I could have stayed until the end of the year when goodbyes are expected and a natural part of the process. But as last days and goodbyes go, this one wasn’t bad at all.
My only hope is that my students understand that I always enjoyed my time with them, seeing them learn and grow, and that my leaving had nothing to do with any of them. Each of them made leaving a lot harder and I hope my replacement eventually cares about them as much as I do.