It's over

Yay! Today was the last day we had the kids and boy it could not end quick enough! We had a ton of procedures to follow since historically, kids do crazy stunts on the last day. Nothing happened that I know of. The teachers and staff celebrated by squeaking noise makers as the kids rode off on the buses and waved at us. They also played a"Good Bye" through the PA. It was such a sight! I am sooo tired I wish I could sleep for days. Too bad I have a "professional day" tomorrow and then it is onto summer school. I will wrote more of my thoughts later. It's off to bed!

It's all about us

Yesterday my kids were talking about teachers at the school having a Myspace and how some of them accepted friend requests from students. One of my opinionated girls commented,
"Adults should not have a Myspace. It is only for teenagers and should only be for us. I don't know why y'all be having a Myspace."
To which I said, "Um Myspace is huge and anyone can get on it. Besides, it was created before you all were ever on it!"

I decided to keep the rest of my opinions to myself. These self-absorbed teens would not understand in their adolescence that the world does not revolve around them and that there is life outside of friends, entertainment and crushes.
As I told this story to my mom she laughed aloud and told me that is exactly the type of statement I made to them when I was a self-centered jr. higher.
"Did you imagine yourself being in the opposite role as an adult having teens not appreciate anything you do or say?"
"Nope. I never thought I would be in this position. It seems that no matter what, most of them could care less about what I say and they criticize everything I do! I am never right with them."
She gave some encouraging words but wow do these kids make me feel old! I find myself saying so many typical adult statements like:
"Because I said so."
"No you cannot do that.
"STOP making those noises!"
"Stop talking...for the rest of the day."
"Why aren't you listening?"
"Were you not paying attention?"
"You must have not been listening."
"I am only going to tell you once."
"Just trust me."
"You are only in middle school."
"You are just a teenager."
"It is not all about you."
"Your attitude will not be tolerated."
"With that attitude, there are consequences."

I say all these things but often times with more emotion behind them.
Even though I feel beat down a lot by them, the Lord encourages me with those few kids who really like to share their lives with me and treat me with kindness and respect. He never promised us that we always be treated in the way that we should but I find myself expecting it rather than being surprised by it. Maybe that is why He has me teaching jr. high.

Another story about my fave sudent

Let's just call him "Aidan" since that is one of my preferred names for a future son...if I have one.

On Friday my kids took their Exploring Foods and Fabrics final exam. As the kids were quietly testing, I walked around the room to monitor. Aidan had finished early but he looked really down and a little worried.

"Are you okay?" I asked.
"No I am worried about the high school courses I have to sign up for next year. We are choosing our classes over the next few days and honestly, I have no clue what I want to do with my life! I mean there are 3 things I could possibly do: be a band director, work in politics, or do something with math since I am good at it. They want us to choose courses that will be on the path of our future career."
"Well the good thing is that you do not have to know right now what to do with your life. Those 3 career paths seem like a great fit for you and you will have many options in high school to figure out what you want to do. Relax! You can decide on all that later!"

He loosened up and began talking about this new girlfriend he currently had. It turns out he had a crush on her since 2nd grade (6 years) and they had been good friends for the last 2 years. She finally returned the feelings. They officially had been together for only a couple of months. When he first told me about her, he called her "the girl of my dreams." Wow. To be in 8th grade and already you have the girl of your dreams. I only fear what comes later in life.
Anyway, Aidan went onto tell me that she really is now allowed to have a boyfriend to which I immediately encouraged him to respect her parent's rules and just be friends with her. He is a good kid and I believe he could be a believer so of course I could not approve of the relationship being behind her parent's back. He said I was right (I usually am).
Fast forward to today. Aidan came to class late. As I greeted him at the door, he came in and apologized. Then he proceeded to sit at his table and lay his head down. This is very uncharacteristic for him as he is almost always lively and smiling. I called up the students one by one to get their exam grade and when Aidan came up, he again looked worried. I questioned him about what was wrong.

"I am just stressed out. I am still trying to figure out what to do with me life but I have no clue. I am also worried since I don't always study all the time for math and I am afraid I will carry those habits into high school. Also, the girl of my dreams broke up with me today. She told me already that she was going to be single in high school to focus on her studies so she was planning to break up with me by the end of the school year. I just did not expect her to break up with me today. I am really sad about it. I just don't understand why it can't work out. I feel like I have these great plans but they just don't go as planned."

"Well Aidan, I am really sorry about the girl breaking up with you. I know that sucks. I totally understand where you are coming from. I do know that there is someone bigger than us that has the best plans for our lives. Even though we think we know what is good for us He knows what is best. You are only in 8th grade so don't stress about your future. You have plenty of time to decide what to do. Also, you never know how life could change for you and the girl. She might change her mind in high school about wanting to be single. Just go into the summer and have a fun time without thinking too hard."

I just feel for this kid. He is going through normal adolescent issues and trying to figure out how to deal with them. I am thankful though that he opens up about his life and it gives me an opportunity to share about THE TRUE ONE who directs our steps and gives a hope for living. Praise the Lord these talks!

Therapy

This past 3 weeks of school I have had my kiddoes sewing aprons. This is their first big project since their beginner class last semester. I knew this project would be a little bit harder to teach since I have NEVER sewn an apron before! But I have enjoyed watching them piece together each part as it slowly came together.

Last week I was sitting down at the table with 3 boys in my 8th period class (my fave period) as I taught them how to hand sew their pocket. One boy had moved on ahead and stitched his pocket wrong to which I pointed out. He seemed a little downcast so I asked what was up.
"It has just been a horrible, horrible day. It's just been bad."
"Well why do you say that S ?"
"My older brother just gets on my nerves because he is always bossing me around. He thinks he knows everything and he can tell me what to do."

The counselor in me started to sympathize with him and give him some advice. Right after S opened up, my fave male student, the brightest, most kind, most mature 8th grader you will ever know, pipes up:

"Yeah, let's have a little therapy session here in our sewing circle! Let's talk about our feelings! This is great Miss Humphrey!"
I laughed aloud and made a mental note to write a blog about his comment. I could not get over it! Where did that come from? None of the other students I have can possibly compare to how profound he is. Everyday he greets me with a smile and calls me Miss Humphrey rather than the impersonal "Miss." When he is in class he talks about funny things, not immature graphic topics. He encourages me to be more professional when I don't respond properly to unruly students. He makes the classroom light hearted when things get serious. He also never cusses or talks about girls in a negative way. In fact, he shared a little fact about himself when he was first in my class. This was his statement:

"You know when I was in 5th and 6th grade I never talked to girls. I was always with the my guy friends. I did not really know how to talk to them. They were never my friends. But last year in 7th grade was the first time girls became my friend. It's really cool how now I talk to girls all the time. I actually know what to say!"

Then one day about a month later as he walked into my classroom, I was standing by my door (we have to greet our students at the door for every class) making conversation with students they walked in. I said to him, "M you were kind of quiet yesterday.
"Really? Well today I am really excited!"
"Why, do you have a new girlfriend?"
"Yeah! She is the girl of my dreams!"

I refrained from saying, oh but she will probably break your heart! You are too young for real love. Just wait till you are older and more serious. Then you can be in a real relationship. Right now, just focus on having friends, staying out of trouble and doing your school work.
All I could do was smile and be happy for him. I knew that the parent in me probably should not burst his bubble.
How could you not love this kid??