Former student success stories

Today, S. came to my door at the top of the morning and told me she passed the English state test! She had failed it a few times, but she's a smart cookie and she deserved to pass it. She diligently studied for it in the squeeze early this fall with gracious Mr. F's help. AH! If personal success feels good....vicarious success feels great! She's free! She feels competent again! (as she should)

Also, S., my favorite and best tennis player these past two years, paid an unexpected visit after school. He now attends Tougaloo College and is the #3 player on their tennis team! He's the coach's unspoken favorite, I am sure. He looks like a young man now; all traces of childishness have seamlessly departed from his face. He's still somewhat small in stature, but I can't express how grown up he looks now, but in a good way, an "I am more mature and responsible now" way, not in a disappointing, let-down, loss-of-cute way.  He wants to help with the upcoming group of FH tennis players this spring. I happily agreed. :)

Never too childish

Yesterday I was considering re-vamping my classroom's look to make it more collegiate and mature looking. You know, less Mickey-Mouse, overpowering colorful posters everywhere, more somber tones and hues conveying deep thoughts to aid in students' self-actualization.

I solicited the advice of a student who was helping me grade. I asked him, "Is this classroom too childish looking? Does it remind you of kindergarden?" And he said, "You shouldn't change it. Some of your students actually need that. I didn't know half the words you taught us last year."

That made me so, so happy. So bright colors and youthful energy it has been and will be.