These Are the Moments

...the moments I live for my job.

Yesterday at the end of ...something...I can't even remember what it was we were doing exactly, but I asked if anyone had anything they wanted to add to the conversation.  One of my more challenging boys asked if he could say something.  He proceeded to stand up, turn to face the rest of the class and started a little narrative, it went something like this:

"This is for you Mrs. Winkey, but for everyone else in here.  I wanted to say thank you."

We all looked at each other a little awkwardly, wondering what in the world he was talking about.  Maybe he really enjoyed the activity we just did, maybe he had a helpful partner, or maybe he's losing his marbles.  Finally a voice in the back of the room said, "For what exactly?"

It was at this point that he continued in a partially nervous (?) quieter voice.  He said, "For everything.  This has been the best year so far for me.  Last year I was in a lot of trouble.  I got detention a lot and was suspended a lot, too.  I was in a LOT of fights.  I just couldn't avoid them.  But here I am doing better.  I want to do good and I am really trying to do better."

After a round of applause from my class as a whole, completely initiated on their own, one of my more perceptive girls asked him, "Do you think it's because of the charts?" [Referring to our T-Graph for Social Skills]

Without a beat, he said, "I know it is.  I know what I am supposed to do.  I don't have to guess.  But I have you, and Mrs. Winkey, and Mrs. Hansen, and I am getting better."  

With this realization from a TEN YEAR-OLD, I know I am making a difference.  I don't care that I am a month behind in our frameworks.  I don't care what my test scores will "say" about my students or myself as a teacher.  I care that my students can work together.  I care that my students are learning how to work collaboratively and make positive decisions.  I care that they are learning that they have the power to take control. I care that my students and I are having a positive impact on a child who came to us with a not-so-great past. I care that I am helping mold students who could go down the path not desired realize that he has control over his choices.  I know that I am having a positive impact on my students' lives and THAT is what being a teacher is all about.    

(OK, come May I might have another perspective on the whole test scores thing, but as of right now, this is where I stand.)