The Gift of the Memorable Child

The Gift of the Memorable Child
The child that is my challenge is a gift.
Only he can give me
The gifts of patience, tolerance, and acceptance -
If I let him.
He will be the one to make me into a true Teacher
And challenge my very soul.
I can learn more from this child
Than from much of my college coursework -
If I choose to.
A child is not something that is "broken"
For me to "fix".
This child comes to me a unique individual
Worthy of love - just as he is.
Will I choose to rise to the occasion?
Or be yet another to throw my hands up?
Do I have it in me to maybe be the one that can make a difference?
Is he maybe the one that will make a difference in me?
Will I choose to let him?
~Cathy Abraham~

This poem is hanging on my refrigerator in my apartment, along with other sources of inspiration such as cards from "my kids," emails from parents, and other words of encouragement. All of these remind me why it is that I am a teacher. And why I love it.

I have two children in my class that were labeled as "challenging." When I got their paperwork from kindergarten, I cringed. I dreaded the year. How was I going to help these children? What if I couldn't handle them? Those two have become two of my "favorites." (But shhhh! Don't tell!) I viewed working with them as a GIFT, not a CHORE. I had a different opinion of such "challenging" children my first year of teaching. I did not treat them as gifts, and it showed. But this year I have seen a difference in not only me, but in those challenging children as well.

One child never socialized, never participated in class, and could not function in an academic environment when he came to me. He had no aide. WHAT?! Months later, he now plays games with other children, is reading and writing, and just today participated in a class discussion. He provided a response that made sense and was correct! The kids were so proud of him, saying, "That was really smart, Tom*! Good job!" It brought tears to my eyes...

The other child was angry. Only when provoked usually, but he did not know how to handle himself when things did not go his way. He still gets mad, and I still have to talk to him on an almost daily basis. However, he has become remorseful. He can say, "Miss Ruwe, I made a mistake. I'm sorry." He can look peers in the eyes and say, "I'm sorry, I won't do it again," and shake their hand. That is a big step for him. And again, I couldn't be more proud of his progress.

I have improved as well. I no longer feel exhausted or frustrated with these types of children. I have become the patient, kind, and encouraging teacher I have always wanted to be. And I credit it all to those "challenging" gifts that I have been blessed with.

On another note...today was the last day before Thanksgiving Break. I will not see my students for five days. No big deal, right? Well, apparently not to my kids. They were hugging me at the end of the day and saying, "Miss Ruwe, we'll miss you!" I kept saying, "Yes, but it's only five days! You'll see me again on Monday, sillies!" But to be honest, I will miss them, too. I won't miss the paper grading or hearing my name called about a million times a day, but I will miss them. And THAT right there is proof enough that I am doing exactly what God intended for me to do.

* = Again, I will not put people's real names in my posts! Privacy is a MUST!!!