WOW Week!

          My surprise for the week was a big one, (to me anyway).  I had scheduled a guess speaker this week. I just knew that the “horrible none caring class” causes me many anxious moments. I was wishing half of that particular class would not show up because my greatest fear was them causing me overwhelming embarrassment. Surprise to me, they did not embarrass me at all! They were so into what the guest speaker had to say. The class was raising their hands, asking questions and participating in the activity that was being presented. They are coming out of their shells enabling me to see the person on the inside of each student.

          Being at NTI this summer has enabled me to believe I can manage my students regardless of the situation.  The students ask what has happen to you.  You act differently. They did not like the “New Me”.  On the outside many students appear to dislike structure and strict teachers.  But I know on the inside they will learn in a structured environment. It may be something they do not get at home and when they have rules and structure, I believe they will recognize and understand that there are people who care.

          I had another surprising moment this week. With the writing curriculum, I had the students write an autobiography about themselves. One of the students in this same class, their autobiography made me say WOW! She has had a rough life and is always trying to be the smart mouth tough one but is afraid of being left alone! Does this come from being left alone because her mom is in jail? There are some teachers that are afraid of this student. I have never been afraid or uneasy of this same student. I have always felt a special “something” for this one. I believe that God puts us in places for a reason and she very well may be my reason.