My Very Own Corner of the World

Wow! Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday I was figuring out how I was going to fill up the first day and not make a total ass of myself.
Over the past nine months, my classroom has become a living, breathing thing. The best feeling I've ever had is looking around my room to see a dozen kids just hanging out; I know they feel safe, accepted, loved, and appreciated the minute they step through my doorway.
My kiddos have taught me so much this year. So many of my students face seemingly insurmountable challenges on a daily basis, but somehow it never breaks their spirit. They are so giving, so witty, so incredibly intelligent, even if sometimes they don't realize it.

Tonight was the annual talent show, of which I was asked to be a judge. I had the time of my life. I got to see a bunch of my kids show the world what they love to do, and I was really impressed!! One of my students in particular really blew me away. This student and I have had our ups and downs, at one point I really didn't think we would ever be close again because I had to lay down some serious "tough love". But amazingly, she seems to be getting back on the right track including mending some of her "burnt bridges".
She sang a song which she wrote herself, and the lyrics were awe inspiring. She sang about coming from a small world, of not knowing fear until faced with judgment from those who didn't understand her. It's easy to put someone in a box, to pretend like you understand how they think and react to things. But sometimes the only way a person can truly express themselves is through their art. I've never heard her articulate her thoughts so clearly or so passionately, and I have never felt so proud of anyone in my whole life. It felt like I was watching my own daughter pour her heart out right in front of me.

At the end of the show, "the teachers" performed. It's a group of teachers that have a totally kick ass band, and they're actually pretty good!
I looked around at everyone dancing and singing and was completely humbled. Our little melting pot of staff, students and community- gay, straight, trans, teenage mothers, freaks, geeks, and every color and creed. My little classroom organism couldn't survive without this bigger community supporting it. When people talk about schools, they see them as buildings that are succeeding or failing. What gets lost with this view is the community that keeps the students coming back day after day. I've never felt so at home, or had such a feeling of purpose until I found this community. I'm usually full of snark and dark humor, but not today.
Today I love my job.