What did I learn today?
Every day that I get to work
with students, I learn how incredibly resilient our students can be.
Today, I was reminded of
this as I was with my family at Canada’s Wonderland. As my car was heading out on the Leviathan, I
thought I had heard my name called. I
asked the person I was with if he had heard my name being called and he said
that was just my nerves talking.
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https://www.canadaswonderland.com/images/rides/Leviathan-image-3.jpg
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After my 3 minute ride we
pulled back into the station and once again the announcer was talking and at
the end of his announcement he said, “ and Mr. Pearson, I hope you enjoyed your
ride!” This time I know it wasn’t my
nerves talking, I looked into the booth and there was a former student, smiling
behind the glass at me. We had a brief moment
to catch up. He is now training to be in
the military working on jet engines. A
goal he had stated to me 4 years previous.
A remarkable accomplishment for him, as I look back and consider what
this student did to get to where he is today.
My memory might be fading
at this point, but here is the long and short what he had to overcome: multiple
school changes, over an hour and a half bus ride to come to school, multiple
suspensions, multiple issues with teachers, multiple issues with me and
multiple issues within himself.
In my three years with
this student, we took the time to get to know each other when times were good
and we built that relationship where he still felt safe when times were not so
good; when he need to be cooled down, or even sent home. He knew he could come back and that he would
be held accountable for what had happened.
We took the time to work through his mistakes together, it is what he
needed, and really what all students need.
Together we created a relationship where he felt comfortable to learn
from his missteps, to reflect on what had happened. He learned to never give up, he learned that
failing was okay. Most importantly, he learned
that he had someone that he could lean on and trust. I also have to say that he taught me so much
as we went through his time in high school.
This student came to believe
in himself, that he could grow both academically and personally and this is what
helped him overcome the obstacles life presented him. This strength or mindset is what will see him
through to his goals. He believed that he was not fixed in the die that life
had cast for him.
Today, I was reminded
that the amazing students we work with can:
Inspire.
Greatness.
Together.
It’s funny that I
remembered all of this after a roller-coaster ride of up’s and down’s, much like
life can present us with.
