Graduation

This year's graduation was probably the hardest for me to stomach. While I won't openly admit it, this was one of my all time favorite classes I've ever worked with for many reasons. They had much potential leaving my little world of sixth grade, there was just a spark among many of them, and the girls of the class "forced" me back into coaching ("you coach us, Mr. J, or we'll make thing difficult").

As it was, the following two years, I had the chance to coach the same girls in jr. high, both 7th and 8th grade, so there was quite a connection made there by the time things were said and done. As years have gone past since 8th grade, I've lost touch with many of these students, heard some not so good things about their activities, and generally looked at is as another class moving on. I had entertained the notion of not going to the parties, just because it seemed like a waste.

However, I got out some old pictures of the jr. high teams, and looked at the pure joy they had playing the game, not for anyone but themselves and their team mates, and at that point decided to attend the parties, regardless of my personal feelings. And I'm glad that I did. I went to one party and almost got tackled by the graduate giving me a hug. Later on, her parents both commented about how she considered me her "favorite teacher of all time" and just the impact that I had made in her life. I was shocked to say the least! Another party I had a graduate almost in tears when I walked in, hugging me and comment how my "stories" helped her become the complete basketball player she was.

Yes, it's totally selfish, but it was a huge ego boost to hear those things, and realize that yes, I do make a difference. The last 5 years have been ones of great upheaval with my wife's parents both passing, moving, and the general chaos that is school, and I know I've not been the teacher I should be. With these graduations, I've felt better about my job as a whole and HOW I do my job. I get right down into the kids on their level: I tease them, poke fun at them, and get up into their faces when need be. That's who I am, and that's what I'll continue to do because it works for me.