...and things are getting better--ever so slightly. I'm finding that I do enjoy the whole teaching aspect--I like the planning, the preparing--it's just the challenge of holding their attention that is getting me down. I have never really been a yeller--I mean other than at my Dad or brother ; ) but everyday I find my voice hoarse and my head pounding.
Since I've been at school for a few months now, I am really feeling like I've developed a relationship with some of the kids. I can honestly say I care about all of my student's success, but for some I care about them as people as well. My hope is that I can get to a point where I care about each of them on a personal level, but that will take a while.
There is one 8th grade boy in particular who touches my heart. He is failing my class, along with many others, but has taken it upon himself to stay everyday after school to improve his grades. Apparently last year he was a little terror and even got suspended for cussing out a teacher, but he told me that over the summer he realized it wasn't fun always getting in trouble and wanted to make sure he had a better year. Well, he has. These are the kids that make teaching worth the struggle. The ones that are begging for an opportunity and depending on you to give it to them.
Life outside of the classroom has been somewhat non-existent as even my weekends are full of grading, planning, calling parents, and sleeping. However, this weekend was amazingly relaxing. A few friends and I stayed out in the suburbs Friday night and on Saturday went to my boy's basketball game. Not only did we go, we also kept the official books and clock. It was fun--until my friend Tom got yelled at for messing up the time, and my friend Lauren and I almost screwed up the entire game by forgetting to tell the refs we were now out a 1 for 1 foul shot. They had to stop the game and let the opposing team take their shots. Oops. In the end it was great, our team won by 1 point and we were playing against the other best team in the league (also a school 2 of my friends work at)! We finished the day by watching movies, lying on the couch, cooking dinner and talking until early in the morning. It was a good weekend, I began to remember I am a person.
Thanksgiving is coming and autumn in Philadelphia is beautiful. The colors are amazing and the air is crisp and fragrant. Although I complain a lot about the cold weather, it is nice and refreshing to see a change of seasons. I cannot wait until Christmas break to come home and spend some valuable time with each of you, so I can do impressions of my students and hear about lives that don't revolve around 12-year-olds.
November is here--I've been doing this for 2 months (although it seems like 2 years) and it is getting more..."doable." Thank you for your ongoing support, I don't know where I'd be without it.
Take time to go on a walk and see the leaves. Change is a beautiful thing.
Sara
