2nd week post

What surprised me this week in one of my classes is how a student that many people write off as unmotivated and lazy, ended up ahead of everyone in the class. I have to admit because I listened to the buzz about this student I thought the same thing when I was placing him into a group. He came to me and said I know that my group is not going to do anything so can I work alone? I said yes you can...he tried working alone and that did not work...because it was hard for him to focus, so eventually he ended up in a group with another student who was working alone. The two of them hit it off great and they have landed an interview for their documentary with a member of Congress. This student just needed my support as he tried to find his way. I could have been rigid and said "NO" I put you in a group you work it out in that group...but because I saw that he desired to do better, and just needed that person that would help him adjust. I surprised myself because I couldn't believe how fast I almost gave up on him. I am happy that I saw what was going on before I crushed his self esteem and planted the first seed of becoming a teacher that always has to be "right". At the end of the day we are there to help studnts find their fit in the society and sometimes that means checking yourself and your thoughts about them along the way.