I know this is what drives me.
On occasion I find myself thinking, what if? What if I had perused Pepperdine (despite the tuition)? What if I had continued perusing a career in acting? What if I decided against spending an extra two years to get my elementary liscensure? Would I be happier? Would I be lost? Would I leave a legacy on this world?
What I do know, is I would have never been blessed with knowing so many wonderful children. My job is not luxurious. In fact, I sometimes think teachers are some of the most unappreciated, not to mention underpaid, people in the world. We bust our butts, way more than 8 hours a day, to either make a parent, administrator or student upset. Everyday you're met with multiple struggles that are exhausting and sometimes disheartening, but despite all the headaches, there's a reason to grin and bear it...those kids.
I have been blessed with an amazing group of kids this year. Don't get me wrong, they have their challenges, but they're good kids, and they have only further proven that I have made the right decision in my career choices.
There's one student in particular that has really made a difference in my life, his name is Gavin, and Gavin is amazing!
When I got my class list this summer, the first thing anyone did was warn me, "You need to be ready for Gavin." "Gavin's going to test you." "Gavin spent almost everyday in the office." "Gavin doesn't trust anyone and no one trusts him."
Now, I understand the warnings, from the sounds of things, he had a rough couple years so far, but his actions, while wrong, were to be expected.
Gavin comes from a horribly broken home. As far as I can conclude from conversations, dad's in jail and has rarely been around. Gavin as 6 half siblings. Last year, him and his siblings were removed from their mother's custody and placed in their aunts house. Bless his aunt, though raising her own kids and working more than one job, has done a great job at taking care of these kids.
Now, although Gavin's mom lost custody, she's still allowed visitation. Of course all visitation is done whenever mom is short on drug money, which she has no problem taking from her children.
I'm not a psychologist, but it seems to me that a child going through so much dysfunction, is probably going to act out.
Well...after a semester, Gavin isn't even the same person. When I met Gavin, I promised myself that I would not label this kid. I was going to let him start fresh. My number one goal was to prove to him that there were adults that were not going to leave him, that actually wanted to fight for him. And fight for him I have.
Gavin has gone from daily office referrals to a whole month without being removed from classes. He has formed friendships with students who used to see him as an annoyance. His grades have gone up and his effort in class has flourished. Most of all, he has learned to trust. He knows that even if he makes a mistake, it doesn't change the fact that I care about him, and under no circumstances am I going to give up on him.
I know that I have made a difference in his life, just as he has changed mine.
This is why I do what I do. This is why I will always be certain that I did something amazing with my life. I know, because of Gavin.
His Christmas card to me.
