More highs than lows...

Well, another week has gone by, and it has been what I would call a roller coaster of a week. It had some very high highs, and some really low lows. So, I've decided to share a little bit of both tonight before I move to the couch and watch "Don't forget the Lyrics". (I've decided I need a few new hobbies, by the way, because TV isn't a life.)

High: I spoke Monday morning to a College Class full of Future Educators. I shared my life story and my experiences in teaching. It was really fun. I made them laugh a lot, which is neat. I only had one student fighting sleep (I've never had one do that to me before!), so I guess that's a good thing. At the end, one student came up to me and handed me a sappy "You bless me" note. Yep, highlight #1 of the week!

Low: For a few days prior to Monday (sad to say, I can't remember the exact day) a girl had gone missing in a town not far from here. I had been praying off and on for her. Her name was Rowan. Her family had been on the news, pleading for someone to return her. On Monday, she was found...dead. Not only was she found dead, but it has been reported that the Stepdad was one of the two men responsible. Everyone at work took it hard. We had all discussed the case repeatedly, and prayed for her. I could share with you the graphic details of the girls death, but suffice to say, it led to some very tough discussions this week in my classroom. I just keep thinking of this kid who probably pleaded with God in her last moments of life for her to be saved...and she was...just not the way we all wanted her to be saved. I never knew the kid, but, the homelife reminded me so much of my student's lives...it's been in the back of my mind all week. Yeah, low #1 of the week.

High: TLA day for me! I learned some really cool stuff I can use in my classroom with a SmartBoard. I have taken ownership of the SmartBoard out of the Computer Lab and have taken it as my own. :-) The past two days have been really fun with the SmartBoard. I can see my students going to new places with this stuff!

High: My Best Friend and I got caught up on Tuesday night as we watched House. I don't take that stuff for granted at all anymore.

High and Low all at once: I got another new student this week. I like the kid. In fact, I love the kid. Only low point is, it puts me at 25 kids I'm servicing... Yikes!

High: Going to homegroup and having my friends and I be "real" with each other. In a few areas of my life, I am wrestling with God, and it was nice to be able to share my heart with safe friends. I'm a blessed gal. We didn't solve the problems of the world, but I was reminded of how blessed I am.

High: My Best Friend inquired as to why I was so quiet lately and I was real with her and told her. Seems odd that I should note that as a high, but I do. We've had some real challenges in the course of our friendship, and to have her notice I was down amazed me.

High: Seeing Guys and Dolls play with Best Friend last night. I realize she went primarily because I was so open with her the night before and she could tell I just needed someone to be by me for an evening. The play was really good. I had fun.

High and Low: We met this morning on one of my students. I don't typically have parents who get upset in meetings, but today was the exception. We met on this kid, Jay, who I just adore. He came to me from another school in our district with only a Math and Oral Expression label. This kid can't write a sentence to save his soul. He's come a long way since August, but he is WAY below grade level. So, we had met with Jay's Mom once to get permission to re-do his testing. Not a problem. She liked us, we liked her, and everything was good to go. She shared at that meeting that she had had a bad experience at the other school, etc. I dismissed it, and we moved on. This led to today's meeting.

We had to go over the testing. I had prayed that this kid would qualify for more help. And, honestly, my motivation was to qualify him for our alternative state assessment. Yes, in my little corner of the world, state assessment is everything. Mr. P. only cares about scores. (I'm not overexaggerating...it's a sick, sick world.)

So, the meeting started, and I was sent to get a member of the team. I was missing Mr. C., the regular classroom teacher, so I said I would go. Right before I had left, I heard a couple of our team members discussing that maybe an interpretter was needed, as Jay's Mom is from another country, and her English is incredibly choppy. They wanted to make sure she would understand everything.

When I entered the room with Mr. C., the team leader was clearly trying to smooth things over. Yep, you guessed it, while I was out, an interpretter had been offered and Jay's Mom was OFFENDED. It was a misunderstanding in so many ways. By law, our team leader had to offer the interpretter because of the ESL family background. The flip of it, Mom stated that in her culture that is an offense. There were so many things that I wanted to say. And, in fact, our team leader apologized and we tried to move forward, but Jay's Mom was offended and didn't want to look at our team leader. Team leader left in tears, and we tried to smooth things out. It took time, but we did it. I pleaded with the Mom that my hands were tied in what I could do for her son because of the law, and if we didn't go over the papers then I couldn't do anymore for her son.

She stayed.

The high of it all: Jay now qualifies in all academic areas! And, qualifies for alternative testing. Whew! Definate high!

High: One of my fifth graders has mastered a math concept. Ashton came to me last Spring and couldn't add 2+5 with her fingers. She processes things differently than we do. So, I have taken the past month and taught her whole group touchpoint addition. And, then we played "Addition Bingo" and she can do touchpoints without the worksheet and figure it out! :-) Yes! It is rare I get that kind of result, but I did! :-) HIGH POINT OF THE WEEK!

High: Only 2 days of school next week!

High: I get to go to IHOP next week!

Low: I miss Laura. She won't be back until late this month. I miss laughing with her.

Well, I guess that's about it. I'm moving to the couch. I'm missing my show.

Thanks for reading! Later!