Finally! Something positive!
After a rough 5 days, something positive finally happened for me.
Last year I had some really great, special students. They had personality, they had pizzaz, and they had potential. Generally, I'll be honest here, I prefer male students. When you are talking teens, there is definitely a sex connection, which should NOT be confused with a sexual connection. Females students are sweeter and kinder to male teachers, and male students are much more protective and caring towards their female teachers. It is as if they compete with same-sex teachers. I know every member of my team would say the same.
But last year I had a female student with whom I really bonded. She was from a rough family; brother in juvie, promiscuous sisters who experimented with drugs; and I wanted so much for her. She was no angel. She was also having sex and smoking marijuana, but at the same time, she was really trying her best to break away from the family mold. She had a temper; boy did she ever! But she not only respected me, but, dare I say, adored me. She could be sensible and strong, and I knew I could count on her.
I picked her as my student of the year, and wrote a poem about her that was both funny and heartfelt. Both she and her mom were surprised she was my student of the year, because she never bonded with any teacher before. She would send me notes thanking me for working with her or apologizing when she got in trouble with another teacher. I gave her my e-mail and cell phone number in case she needed anything.
This year, as a freshman, she came to show me her report card--she made honor roll, and would come check on me and see how my year was going. It was as if she knew which of my days were rough, and that is when she would walk in and brighten my mood.
She hadn't been by for a month or so, but then, as the kiddos get older, I see them less and less. Sometimes I feel like I am Puff the Magic Dragon, and my Little Jackie Papers not longer visit. But that is fine. Goodness knows I did the same to my favorite teachers!
Tonight I received a phone call. Chrissy called to tell me she had moved to the neighboring district. She still has the poem I wrote for her, and her mama still has it hanging up. She is working hard, and is in the A+ program at her new school, which means she can get two years of college and her books free. This is very important, as I know her family will have difficulty with the second two years, as it is. She wants to go to college to become a teacher. She has had a boyfriend for 8 months, and he told her from the beginning that he won't put up with her doing any drugs. Her mom remarried and her mom is able to stay home a little more, and the two of them are bonding again. The step dad is very nice to she and her siblings, and her mom has never been happier.
I was so glad to hear from her, and I hope she will continue to stay in touch. I sincerely think she could have made the right decisions eventually with or without me, but, I am sure proud I had a front row seat for it.
Congrats, Chrissy! I am very proud of you, and you will always be one of the special students from a special school year!
Last year I had some really great, special students. They had personality, they had pizzaz, and they had potential. Generally, I'll be honest here, I prefer male students. When you are talking teens, there is definitely a sex connection, which should NOT be confused with a sexual connection. Females students are sweeter and kinder to male teachers, and male students are much more protective and caring towards their female teachers. It is as if they compete with same-sex teachers. I know every member of my team would say the same.
But last year I had a female student with whom I really bonded. She was from a rough family; brother in juvie, promiscuous sisters who experimented with drugs; and I wanted so much for her. She was no angel. She was also having sex and smoking marijuana, but at the same time, she was really trying her best to break away from the family mold. She had a temper; boy did she ever! But she not only respected me, but, dare I say, adored me. She could be sensible and strong, and I knew I could count on her.
I picked her as my student of the year, and wrote a poem about her that was both funny and heartfelt. Both she and her mom were surprised she was my student of the year, because she never bonded with any teacher before. She would send me notes thanking me for working with her or apologizing when she got in trouble with another teacher. I gave her my e-mail and cell phone number in case she needed anything.
This year, as a freshman, she came to show me her report card--she made honor roll, and would come check on me and see how my year was going. It was as if she knew which of my days were rough, and that is when she would walk in and brighten my mood.
She hadn't been by for a month or so, but then, as the kiddos get older, I see them less and less. Sometimes I feel like I am Puff the Magic Dragon, and my Little Jackie Papers not longer visit. But that is fine. Goodness knows I did the same to my favorite teachers!
Tonight I received a phone call. Chrissy called to tell me she had moved to the neighboring district. She still has the poem I wrote for her, and her mama still has it hanging up. She is working hard, and is in the A+ program at her new school, which means she can get two years of college and her books free. This is very important, as I know her family will have difficulty with the second two years, as it is. She wants to go to college to become a teacher. She has had a boyfriend for 8 months, and he told her from the beginning that he won't put up with her doing any drugs. Her mom remarried and her mom is able to stay home a little more, and the two of them are bonding again. The step dad is very nice to she and her siblings, and her mom has never been happier.
I was so glad to hear from her, and I hope she will continue to stay in touch. I sincerely think she could have made the right decisions eventually with or without me, but, I am sure proud I had a front row seat for it.
Congrats, Chrissy! I am very proud of you, and you will always be one of the special students from a special school year!
posted by Beth at
8:24 PM
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