Students, can't live with them, but sure am glad I have them

I don't often write about my students. I teach special education and I think is my subtle way of making sure that I don't reveal "too much." Today though, my kids touched my heart a little bit, ok they crushed it. They reminded me why I have a job where I really don't make any money. This was good timing on their part because yesterday was payday.

I have a tough group of freshmen. Not tough in the sense that they are difficult to work with, but tough in the sense that there is SO much I need to teach them. Then I have my upper classmen. Most have been with me for 3-4 years now and we have "bonded." This means that they recognize the evil eye and respond accordingly!! They are rambunctious, ok they are naughty. They talk a lot, sneak food into my class, complain at just about everything, and remind me of just how old I am on a regular basis.

For as naughty as they are, underneath it all, they are great. My struggling freshmen were really struggling today. Today's schedule doled out written work at every turn. Written language is our enemy! My poor freshmen started to sweat. They hate it when the "old people" help them. Mrs. Wolf and I arriving at their desk is a sign to all that they need help, and most would rather explode than allow that to happen.

In swooped my upper classmen. At one point one boy looked at another and said, "We are all bad at it....... it is ok! But you got to do it, and we will support you." Ugh, I can retire on that one! But wait they aren't done yet.

They pull some desks together, tell the kids who struggle most with words to work the map and they will take care of the words. They aren't going to let them off the hook completely though, "you have to read one whole paragraph, even if we tell you every word, you have to do just one."
Ok....let me go get some boxes and start packing. My work here is done.


Ok wait hold that thought..........this just in. Someone just told me how she "got bored" so she eased her skin until it left something that looks like a really bad rug burn. Put the boxes back.......there may be a few more areas to cover. It will be ok though because my students care about each other, and they care about me. One girl is working towards getting to walk to class with me. I feel honored. Eat your hearts out regular education..........the best you will ever be is regular. We on the other hand are SPECIAL.