I know that's great and all, but it really isn't the reason of the post. I wanted to share a story that happened after school today...
You know those kids you hear about before they come to you?
The ones that you've seen sitting in the office in trouble?
The ones the teacher's have "warned" you about...
Well I have one this year.
I'm not one of those people who pre-judge...I actually prefer not to know anything about the kids before I get them. I like to form my own relationships and make my own opinions.
I LOVE this little boy. He has had an amazing year. He's definitely ALL boy and still does some dumb things that get him in trouble, but we've formed a relationship with him and he knows we love him and just want the best for him. Behavior-wise he's come so far...
He is also one that hasn't had a lot of success in testing. He's failed all 3 benchmarks this year, but I just kept encouraging him and encouraging him! Well, when we got those TAKS results back...guess what...HE DID IT! I was jumping around {totally embarrassing myself} I was so excited! <--FACT!
I got this great idea that we would totally have an after school celebration for him letting him know how proud we were. (He passed the Reading test too!<--Same story in Reading)
I emailed mom (who by the way always just assumes someone is calling/ writing for behavior problems) and asked her if she could pick the boys up after school so we could have a meeting with her and the kid. She said she would leave work early come...she was a nervous wreak because I didn't tell her anything. HA!
When mom got there, we paged the kid on the intercom to come to the principals office...all his teachers were there, our principal and his mom of course. Our principal asked him if he knew why we were having this meeting...of course he was like "um...no"...then we just couldn't hide it any longer and we told him HE PASSED both tests!!
Y'all. This kid, Mr. I am so cool, I don't care, some kids call me a bully, schools a joke, blah, blah, blah, collapsed to his knees and broke down CRYING! Seriously it took him about 5 minutes to collect himself. He was so proud that he did it! That moment will forever be engraved in my heart. I don't think I've ever been more proud to be a teacher than I was at that moment. I've had to break the pass/fail news to hundreds of kids and I've never seen anything like it.
It's funny because as teachers, you kind of assume you are the ones touching kids lives and teaching them...not only your subject areas, but about life and how to be better people. It's a pretty amazing feeling when a kid can teach you something about yourself and make you a better teacher because of it. :)
Congratulations on your great scores!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd that story about your student is the sweetest. Brought years to my eyes. You will definitely forever be in his memory bank as a teacher who changed his life.
aww...T, i've got tears in my eyes reading this. what an incredible story. how lucky he is to have you as a teacher, encourager, and friend. and good job on the high test scores!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story. I am sure you have changed that boys outlook on school. And to let his Mom in on the news, good thinking! I am very proud of you and all your hard work.
ReplyDeletelove you g-ma