Part of my break was helping a former student set up a baby shower for his girlfriends. My emotions were very mixed.
The first feeling I felt was admittedly annoyance. "Why couldn't this baby shower be in Dallas?" "It was supposed to start 2 hours ago. Why are we still here?" "I'm angry he's having a baby period. I do not support this." "This traffic is terrible. I wish I could teleport."
I complained the whole drive to and from this far flung baby shower.
The crazy thing is that from the time I saw my student to the time he vanished from my rear-view mirror, I couldn't manage to muster my frustrations. The second I stepped into the room, I got to work tying bows around chairs, fumbling with stereo equipment, and talking about his plans for the future.
I was impressed to see how much he has grown since he was in my class.
Other than getting a freshman pregnant, he seems to have been making the right moves for his future. "Right" is even a loaded term since I'm basing "right" on what I think is important, but I still hoped and wished he'd be doing something other than moving boxes all day. That said, I'm proud of him for getting a job, getting his own place, and committing to raising the child he helped create. I have a few students who are currently doing the exact opposite, so it's clear that he has gotten some good advice along the way.
I told him I was proud and that I'd be supportive however I could. I don't think he'll need me quite as much as some of the others I have helped/am helping support more frequently, but I'm here if he needs me. I'm happy he's happy. I believe he will be alright and so will his new family.
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I complained the whole drive to and from this far flung baby shower.
The crazy thing is that from the time I saw my student to the time he vanished from my rear-view mirror, I couldn't manage to muster my frustrations. The second I stepped into the room, I got to work tying bows around chairs, fumbling with stereo equipment, and talking about his plans for the future.
I was impressed to see how much he has grown since he was in my class.
Other than getting a freshman pregnant, he seems to have been making the right moves for his future. "Right" is even a loaded term since I'm basing "right" on what I think is important, but I still hoped and wished he'd be doing something other than moving boxes all day. That said, I'm proud of him for getting a job, getting his own place, and committing to raising the child he helped create. I have a few students who are currently doing the exact opposite, so it's clear that he has gotten some good advice along the way.
I told him I was proud and that I'd be supportive however I could. I don't think he'll need me quite as much as some of the others I have helped/am helping support more frequently, but I'm here if he needs me. I'm happy he's happy. I believe he will be alright and so will his new family.
Follow us on Facebook; Twitter; iTunes; Soundcloud; Stitcher
Related Articles:
Refreshed Returning from Labor Day '16 - A Dallas Teacher Reflection
DISD and Dallas Education Rundown - September Week 1
***New*** Dallas Education Podcast - August Mailbox (Listener Questions Answered)
Dallas ISD Students have a post-graduation plan
Dallas ISD Student Fathers
Dallas ISD Student Mothers
Dallas ISD Student Pregnancy
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