Dawn....

"It is said that the darkest hour of the night comes just before the dawn."

                                                                The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

For folks who are not educators, I want you to know that school starts and it keeps going and going, I mean it just keep going and going. Before you even realize it, it is the middle of the school year, and many folks who work with children are tired to the bone. 

This school year has been rolling, and I looked up to catch my breath, and it was the end of the first half of the school year. Students wanted to do make-up work from three weeks ago: NO! Counselors were moving students into my classroom one week before the end of the quarter: NO! And, parents wanted to meet: NO! 

Y’all, I felt a lot like this: 

I have been practicing sitting with my feelings instead of acting out or telling everybody and their grandma. I did pretty good, but I did call a friend and say something like:

“I’m done with teaching.”

“Teaching is for young folks.”

I noticed that being in this state caused me to push my students even harder, and you know how that goes; The harder you push, the more they resist. I finally heard this voice loud and clearly: “This ain’t about the kids, this is about you.”

Yep, I need to work on not being influenced by outside forces.

So, this weekend, I got some much needed rest and church, and I went to school and changed my attitude. No lie, my students have been reading and asking questions. We had a great classroom discussion based on this incredible short story, and overall, things went well. Now, don’t get me wrong, I was tested a few times, but I focused inward, and....everything was all good. 

"It is said that the darkest hour of the night comes just before the dawn.”

Today was DAWN!

One of my co-workers came in EARLY this morning to let my students and me know that he had finished his first book of the school year, and he wrote it on his reading log:

DAWN

During study hall time, I had a table full of students who came to get help with their writings; I thoroughly enjoyed working with that small group who would not allow me to take a picture of them. 

DAWN

As I was working with this group of students, one of our counselors came in to add two books to her reading log, and she would not allow me to take a picture of her either.

DAWN

Right after talking with the counselor and working with the students, one of our assistant principals came in to write book titles on her reading log and to talk about books. 

DAWN

While the assistant principal was in the room, two other teachers came in to get book suggestions for some of their struggling readers, and you guys know how much I love talking about books and reluctant readers.

DAWN

Finally, my last class came in, and I have a few reluctant readers who actually read today and were visibly engaged. At the end of the class, one of the students even came to talk to me about the book that he is currently reading.

DAWN

I swear, If you had asked me a few weeks ago about teaching, I’m sure I would have stated quite a few unpleasant words; however, 

"It is said that the darkest hour of the night comes just before the dawn.”

To all of my people out there who feel like you are barely holding on....

"It is said that the darkest hour of the night comes just before the dawn.”