Crumpled Notebook

Tonight I went to 8th grade graduation here. I had a lot of kids from my group that were graduation, as well as a lot of other kids I’ve worked with in the last 4 1/2 years since I’ve been here. I was so proud of all of them, but I seriously had the most proudest moment I think I’ve ever had tonight.

So, I almost never blog about my kids and I have never posted a picture of the kids, but I know this one won’t mind. So, this kid here, won the Principal award for most changed student, leadership, caring about school, etc…. I actually cried. See, this kid here is the reason I do what I do. I’m not sure why, but he’s really the first kid that kind of connected with here. He’s had a hard life. He’s been down the wrong paths. He’s always been the “bad” kid. But he’s always had this big heart and I’ve always been able to see so much potential in him. He really is a born leader. So the fact that, after all this time, the ups and downs, I’m glad that I’m not the only one that sees this in him (and a few times I thought I was). Anyway, it’s really what makes everything worthwhile, moments like that. It’s not really about him, although part of him reminds me of my brother. But, it’s the little things. All the time you spend, and you finally see one little sliver of it paying off. It’s encouraging actually.