(Photo: Pinterest)
The bell rings at 7:50am and just as I'm about to greet my homeroom students, I have a student from another class rush into my homeroom with tears in her eyes. She told me that she couldn't finish her homework because she found out her cousin collapsed in gym class and is in a coma. It is just like her to still be concerned about her school work while she is experiencing intense sadness...
She is a straight A student and her mother should feel blessed to have a daughter like that. Through her tears she told me what happened to her thirteen year old cousin and she said "Mrs. K. I couldn't stop thinking of your quote when I found out about her." That touched me tremendously. Sometimes I feel like my students are not listening and then I have a moment like this one that proves me wrong. She told me that she trusts me and I told her something that she didn't know. As she stared at me with a puzzled look upon her face, I explained how her recent essay helped me with something major that is going on in my life.
Currently, a very close family member of mine is having some early signs of dementia. This student wrote a photo essay about her grandpa and his battle with Alzheimer's disease. While reading her photo essay, I was a bit taken aback and had to pause while I read one of her lines. I'd rather have him around without knowing who I am, then not have him around at all. I smiled because through all of my frustration with my family member forgetting things that I find so simple, my student made me realize that I am STILL incredibly blessed.
This is a comment from my friend Kristin who is having trouble posting so she sent me this in an email after reading this entry:
ReplyDeleteRemember 10 years ago when we were trying to figure out what to do with our lives? Heather, I am telling you, you could not have chosen a more perfect path for yourself. Although you love to joke around with your students (lol), I can see how compassionate and supportive you are. It makes me so happy to think about all of the many lives you are going to change in your career. That is truly something to be so proud about. I can only hope I stumble upon a calling as passionate and fulfilling as I see yours is to you. If I ever have children, I can only hope that they have a teacher like you...unless I send them to your school. The way I see it, you are already going to love my kids as an aunt so to be able to be their teacher would be a true blessing to me!
You are an amazing teacher. I'm lucky to have you as a coworker and friend =) See you tomorrow little mama!
ReplyDeleteAww thanks so much Katie! Have fun in Cali!!!
ReplyDeleteI like to think that you had a great role model for this profession! LOL, totally kidding. Cicero needs teachers like you in their school district and more importantly those kids need you. You are a great role model for them! We all have our bad days, remind yourself of the days that make it worth it! =)
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