Reply #2: Thank you.

[LWolf]

I was feeling discouraged the last couple of weeks.

I realized that I'd been called out of my room for so many meetings and trainings; written so many sub plans; dealt with so many issues outside my primary responsibility to my students, that what we were doing in class was not my best, and was not serving them well.

I've been desperate for some uninterrupted time to plan, to customize what we are doing to their interest and needs, to focus on academic growth.

Instead, this week, I was consoling myself. At least if Jane isn't progressing as she should, she's still in school, she still shows up every day and she still talks to me.

Jill is still doing her best even though her house burnt down a couple of weeks ago for the 2nd time. I wonder if, when they are done with the investigation, she'll end up in foster care? Two houses burning down in 2 years is a red flag for SOMETHING.

Mary just found out that her dad is terminal, with a short time to live. While her mom is on a transplant list for a life-saving transplant, and has been for 2 years now. Time is growing short.

Sherry is living with a cousin, commuting to school, and shows up for possibly 2 or 3 days out of every week after her alcoholic mom was evicted, and mom's boyfriend committed suicide.

I've been getting calls from Alice, who is lonely and frustrated since her mom, tired of having to stick to a schedule for getting her to school, decided to home school her. Again, as she's done every year.

Terry is beginning to have some contact with her mom after being put in foster care last year with her little sister, who shows developmental and cognital damage from the beatings that occurred.

I realize that, for my students who just flat out don't care about academics, who are only trying to survive, I'm doing my best to keep them showing up, to keep the doors open, the conversation going, to make sure they know I am here for them whether or not they engage in learning, finish assignments, or get the test scores.

It takes a lot of energy to provide mental, emotional, and social safety to those who don't find it elsewhere.

Can I be forgiven, if these students keep my school from "making AYP," if I keep them showing up and looking forward?