finished...

So I have gotten really bad at this, I know. This is something I hope to improve upon next year, but I suppose I cannot change the past now. I have been doing a lot of personal writing and journaling of my own, which is why the blog hasn't been updated as much. I was writing this morning, and I decided I would post some of it here. This is a bit wordy, warm, and fuzzy, so I will post a more informational based post a bit later perhaps. However, I thought this was worth sharing...

"Exactly one year ago today, I arrived in Cleveland, MS and embarked upon this journey that is teaching. As I walked into the dorms of Delta State University, I had no idea that I was about to experience the most difficult, powerful, intense, and challenging year of my life. The things that I have learned this year cannot be summarized in a cute little journal entry because most of them have yet to be fully realized. I have been shaped and changed by some rowdy, tough, yet utterly amazing kids. I never knew that I would come to love the jokers as much as I have, but it happened. From the first day with these kids they have pushed me. They have forced me to become a better teacher and a better person each and every day. They have taught me more than any book, mentor, movie, or professor could ever teach. They have showed me that I do not walk into the doors of Room 007 Downhill at Central High School without a bell to bell plan. They have taught me that I must be on top of my game every minute of every second or else.... They have shown me that its not always the most effectively classroom management strategies that get the kids in line, its showing them that you care about them and about their education. They have truly shown me that trust is not something that is easily given, it must be earned. They have taught me that without powerful substance and work ethic, idealism will get you slapped across the face (literally and figuratively.) They have shaped who I am and who I want to be. They have shed new light on the blindness towards pain, suffering, and injustice that so many of those raised in my surroundings (myself included) possess. They have shown me that the best of intentions can be ripped to shreds without a solid sense of accountability and purpose. Maybe my kids have learned something from me. Maybe. But I would be willing to bet that anything I may have taught them pales in comparison to the vast array of things they have shown me. I had no idea I would miss my kids the way I already do. (well.... most of them anyway) But when one of them stood up after 3rd period and gave a speech to the class saying “Even though that you made me really mad a lot of times, and got on my nerves most days, you was a good teacher. We gon’ miss your class and we wish you was teaching us Geometry,” it got me. However, it was a great way to bring an end to the most challenging year of my life. Now this year is behind, and I already look forward (a little bit) to the next one ahead. Next year will bring on its own set of challenges including the fact that I am teaching a completely different subject (which I am quite excited about.) As I continue to fine tune my vision for next year over the summer, I pray that next year can teach me half as much as this year did (perhaps in a less stressful way.)

more to come later....