Thank you is not nearly enough

What is it about my students that make them do such good things for me? All I can say is thank you and that is not nearly enough.

When I started this year and gave my tough love speech, I did not know what it would lead to. I told them that I loved teaching and learning but I did not love kids being rude and disrespectful. I told them folks had taken advantage of my kindness during my first two years at Madison Central; therefore, I went to the doctor and told her to take out the kind part of my brain.

However, the truth is the surgery was unsuccessful. Admittedly, I give the kids a hard time and sometimes call them losers and thugs. I often take letters away from RESPECT when they are talking when I am talking or when someone else is talking. Each letter removed in a five-day period knocks off ten points from a class participation grade.

I jump on them when they walk into my room from another class and tease them unmercifully sometimes.

However, I think they know, as do my blood children that I do not mess with and aggravate folks about whom I do not care.

Maybe that is why Amena showed up to class this week with a big surprise. It was a plasma lamp. 

What she did not know was that one given to me several years ago by a special physics class was stolen. What she did not know was I absolutely love gifts small or large. Hers was huge to me. It was affirmation that I am doing what I need to be doing in the classroom. And you already should know - maybe not by chance - it was on Red, Yellow, Black and White Wednesday when I and others celebrate diversity.

Thank you, Amena. Thank you, students, for helping make me the teacher and person I need to be. Know get let’s get back to work.