I may have mentioned this before, but when we went to vote in November, Megan was very disappointed that Barack Obama wasn't there. I mean, really upset. It was actually kind of cute, and maybe a little disturbing because obviously I am foisting my political views onto my unsuspecting daughter, but I am going to be ok with it.
But, times have changed, and my obsession with the Obama's moved from Barack in November to Michelle in January, and now I think that what I admire most about them is, them. I love that he loves her so much, and that she is so strong and that his position does not diminish her. I love that they are the couple in the White House while my kids are little. I think that even if I didn't agree with their politics, I would admire their marriage-and their family.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
A Tale of Two Students
A few weeks ago I spent an entire day having meetings with students and parents. The students were members of a program at school that is designed to identify the students who are struggling and provide them with the support they need to succeed. The kids in the program are very different and all have different issues, but one thing was true for all of them. The program is working. They feel more connected to school now than they did in October, and their grades are improving. The entire day, with the exception of one meeting, was powerful and uplifting and validated my choice to be a teacher.
The one exception was the last meeting of the day. This kid came to the meeting with his mom. Most of his teachers, the Assistant Principal and his counselor were there as well. The goal of the meeting was to talk about what we could do to help this kid, I'll call him Adam, do better. His mother basically told us that she had given up on him and that there was no hope. When asked, Adam said that he wanted to be a Navy Seal. He knew exactly what he needed to do to become one, and had set goals for himself to get there. His mother basically laughed at him and told us that we should not believe a word he said. It was awful. I cannot imagine ever getting to a point with Jack or Megan where I would sit next to one of them and tell him/her that s/he just isn't that smart. I left that meeting wanting to cry. Here you have a kid who should be doing great, and yet he's miserable. He has every privilege imaginable, and yet, he has no support. I know I don't know the whole story, but what I do know, is really sad.
On the other hand, one of the earlier meetings totally reinforced the decision to go into teaching. "Charlie," a kid from Marin City with no parent at home who was failing and headed for County as of October has totally and completely turned his life around. He has the highest grade in his Science class, he has a positive attitude and is talking to his counselor about what he needs to do to get into Cal. He was so grateful for the program and you could really tell that he is going to do what it takes to get where he wants to be. This is the first time in 7 years of teaching that I can look at a student and KNOW that I have made a difference to him. There have probably been more, but this one really matters to me. I am so proud of him. I left that meeting wanting to cry for a completely different reason.
For what it's worth, Adam has made a real effort to do better over the last few weeks. He has approached all of his teachers and is starting to make up for lost time. But still, you have to wonder, what's worse, having absolutely no parental guidance or having a parent who has totally lost faith in you?
I think that being a parent has made me a better teacher. The main reason is that I can look at all of the kids in my classes and say to myself, there is someone out there that loves this kid as much as I love my kids, and if there isn't, then he'll need to get support somewhere, and I can try to do that.
The one exception was the last meeting of the day. This kid came to the meeting with his mom. Most of his teachers, the Assistant Principal and his counselor were there as well. The goal of the meeting was to talk about what we could do to help this kid, I'll call him Adam, do better. His mother basically told us that she had given up on him and that there was no hope. When asked, Adam said that he wanted to be a Navy Seal. He knew exactly what he needed to do to become one, and had set goals for himself to get there. His mother basically laughed at him and told us that we should not believe a word he said. It was awful. I cannot imagine ever getting to a point with Jack or Megan where I would sit next to one of them and tell him/her that s/he just isn't that smart. I left that meeting wanting to cry. Here you have a kid who should be doing great, and yet he's miserable. He has every privilege imaginable, and yet, he has no support. I know I don't know the whole story, but what I do know, is really sad.
On the other hand, one of the earlier meetings totally reinforced the decision to go into teaching. "Charlie," a kid from Marin City with no parent at home who was failing and headed for County as of October has totally and completely turned his life around. He has the highest grade in his Science class, he has a positive attitude and is talking to his counselor about what he needs to do to get into Cal. He was so grateful for the program and you could really tell that he is going to do what it takes to get where he wants to be. This is the first time in 7 years of teaching that I can look at a student and KNOW that I have made a difference to him. There have probably been more, but this one really matters to me. I am so proud of him. I left that meeting wanting to cry for a completely different reason.
For what it's worth, Adam has made a real effort to do better over the last few weeks. He has approached all of his teachers and is starting to make up for lost time. But still, you have to wonder, what's worse, having absolutely no parental guidance or having a parent who has totally lost faith in you?
I think that being a parent has made me a better teacher. The main reason is that I can look at all of the kids in my classes and say to myself, there is someone out there that loves this kid as much as I love my kids, and if there isn't, then he'll need to get support somewhere, and I can try to do that.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Jack is One!
Jack turned one this past weekend, and I really cannot believe that he has been around for a year. A part of me feels like we have always had him, and another part feels like the past year has gone by too quickly. As hard as the baby stage is, it is also so great.
I was just rocking Jack before putting him down for a nap, and he just melts into me. Megan still cuddles, but the difference between a 3year old cuddle and a 1 year old cuddle is huge. Jack just totally gives in to the snuggle. Sometimes it feels like he can't get close enough to me, which is such a great feeling. And he smells so good. It's so hard for me to imagine that someday he is going to be 15 and won't want anything to do with me. I can't think about that now.
I can't believe he is getting so big. Still not walking, but he's close. Part of me just wants him to say a baby, but then another part of me can't wait until he can talk and run and be the crazy kid that I know he will be. I honestly believe he is waiting to walk until he can run. He's going to take off as soon as he can, I just know it :)
So I guess this is my ode to Jack. My baby boy.
I was just rocking Jack before putting him down for a nap, and he just melts into me. Megan still cuddles, but the difference between a 3year old cuddle and a 1 year old cuddle is huge. Jack just totally gives in to the snuggle. Sometimes it feels like he can't get close enough to me, which is such a great feeling. And he smells so good. It's so hard for me to imagine that someday he is going to be 15 and won't want anything to do with me. I can't think about that now.
I can't believe he is getting so big. Still not walking, but he's close. Part of me just wants him to say a baby, but then another part of me can't wait until he can talk and run and be the crazy kid that I know he will be. I honestly believe he is waiting to walk until he can run. He's going to take off as soon as he can, I just know it :)
So I guess this is my ode to Jack. My baby boy.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Captain Sully
I am sitting at my computer watching Captain Sullenberger and his wife be interviewed by some local news anchor and I am thanking my lucky stars that Ben doesn't risk his life every day that he goes to work. I realize that plane travel is safer than driving in a car, but still, it feels different. I do think that we tend to throw around the term "hero" a bit too freely, and I don't know if Sully is one, he was just doing his job after all. But his stoicism in the face of challenge and his poise in the face of sudden fame seem like good things to strive for, so maybe that is a bit heroic. Being grateful for what you have is a gift. I need to work to be better at it.
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