I bid farewell to the past week which, as usual, had its fair share of ups and downs. As I welcomed in the weekend, I laughed and processed what I was about to do. I was about to chaperon homecoming, though not your typical awkward and inappropriate high school dance, I knew it would hold entertainment and awkwardness of its own.
I'm a sucker for sob stories, which explains why I pulled up to the dance with A in my passenger seat. Her mom had to work and all other rides had backed out...and so here we were. Together, we walked up to the fiesta themed celebration, greeted by pinatas, a bucking bull, an inflatable fighting pit, and best of all, a feast of delicious food. I encountered one student after the other, each encounter marked by a slight pause on behalf of both them and I. Just as the students couldn't believe that I actually existed outside of WCHS, I found it just as interesting to witness them in their "natural habitat".
I awkwardly walked around, enjoying taking everything in, yet wondering what to do as the only chaperon that had failed to being a date....I missed that memo. Thankfully the principal and vice principal's wives quickly befriended me, allowing the night to pass much quicker. The night ended with me awkwardly waiting for A to stop flirting long enough for me to stealth fully inform her that her chariot awaited, without ruining her end-of-the-night-convo with Mr. Right.
Saturday quickly faded into Monday and I waived goodbye to the weekend that had flown by so unnoticed. Monday, was Community Impact Day, a day on which all of WCHS goes out into the community to be servants to those in need. My students, my aid, another classroom teacher and his students, as well as myself and several parent volunteers caravaned to the Mid Ohio Foodbank. This was an event I had been looking forward to for weeks; a chance to serve along side of my students, while supporting a cause that was near and dear to my heart as well as my family's. What a blessing it proved to be as I watched the students work as team, free of complaints or arguments. They joyfully sorted bread into various categories in order to prepare it for the individuals that would soon come to rely on its substance for their next meal. 8,250 pounds of bread later, we cheered and breathed a sign of relief...mission accomplished!
God continues to teach me through my students. They were such gracious and willing servants. I was so proud of them and proud that my dad, my grandpa, and the entire foodbank staff was able to see the type of kids that I am blessed to be around. Though they have there moments of weakness, as do we all, they truly have hearts of gold.
Today, one student who has caused many headaches and concerns lately, was retaking a math quiz with K, my aid and life-line on any given day. This student has a habit if blurting out random sayings or even words uncontrollably as he works. All of a sudden, I hear "Can I have an tissue for all of my issues?!". As usual, his loud interruption was followed by an explanation of his sarcasm. Needless to say, I was in hysterics, feeling that this remark just about sums up my job. It is moments like this that make the landing a bit softer on those days that I fall down, a cusion that I know I will need as I brace myself for the hectic week and a half that await me, parent teacher conferences Thursday and Friday and 3 IEPS due next week. I can feel the sleepless nights already, but know that somehow, it always gets done.
Tired of tissues,
Ms. Phillips
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