Making Decisions

Oh my, it has been a while since posting here.  Our #gkcogs campaign has certainly migrated much content to twitter.  And, it has been great connecting with students, families, and everyone in the district #gkcogs!!!  Some things, however, can't be expressed in the limited character count of the twitter sphere - even though it has recently doubled in size (not a fan of that at all).

Those who have a passion for working in education know we are more fortunate than those in other fields.  Each day, we have an opportunity to impact our students.  We have an opportunity to help change lives.  Whether we work with kids in second, seventh, or eleventh grades, each day brings us an opportunity to make a significant difference in the life of a youth still trying to find their way.  If we stick around long enough, we get to see some of those kids develop, mature, and become adults.

Today, we had a guest come speak to our 8th grade Leadership and Community Service classes.  A young man who is principal of a school in a neighboring district.  A very powerful speaker talking about adversity and decisions we all must face in life to differing and individual degrees.  How he had to overcome influence of gangs and neighborhood.  Finish high school, succeed with the marines, move on to teach EL students, and now a young principal.  A powerful story of a strong young man overcoming challenges and now sharing his experiences with our GK students.  It is such an honor to have him here.

And I am personally proud of him as well.  Before coming to GK schools 17 years ago, I taught high school in Rochelle.  I knew him as a young man through several years of high school and always thought highly of his character and performance as a student.  When he graduated with his teaching degree, I tried to get him to join GK.  I only thought of him in positive ways and with respect.  That is how he has always carried himself.

What I didn't know until now is the challenge he faced in those high school years.  What he was dealing with outside my classroom those years.  How all those times I enjoyed having him in class and talking with him, he was fending off intensely persistent and negative influences.  How he was preparing for his future inside the classroom and fighting to preserve it outside the school.  I am sure I would lave listened if he wanted to tell me, but I never would have totally understood.  All his teachers were there for him each day, yet he had to encounter very real struggles on his own.  And, of course, he succeeded.

As educators, we sometimes are directly involved in helping students work through challenges.  When challenges are spoken to us and we can actively participate in working through solutions.  Those are the times when we know we have made an impact.  Most times, I imagine, we are not invited in to help solve problems or address concerns.  There are times when students simply need or decide or feel they have no choice but to fight through on their own. 

Even in those cases, we can STILL be of value to our students by creating a safe, nurturing, respectful environment.  A place where kids know they have opportunities.  A place where at least one adult can be talked to or trusted.  I can't say I was that "special" person who reached out and saved.  He saved himself.  His power and his strength.  He made that happen.  But everyone of us who got to know him and teach him in our classrooms did provide for him a safe place.  A place where he could mark a path to a future he wanted to achieve.  A place where he had an opportunity.  And he took it and made it happen.  I was proud of him then and couldn't be any more proud of him now.

I guess that is just another reason why we love working with kids.  While we are aware of our direct impact with some students, we ALL play at least a small role in creating a positive environment for ALL our students.  What else could anyone ask for in a profession?  A career?  A lifetime?