Toward the end of 1st grade, Nick was making
great growth both academically and socially.
He was no longer the last person chosen to
join a group of students for a project. He was
beginning to find his fit and sense of belonging.
It was hard for my students to understand that
I wasn’t going to be their 3rd-grade teacher
when the new school year started. I reassured
them that they could come and visit me any
time they had the chance.
I was hesitant to give him up to a 2nd-grade
teacher, but I knew that I had started to shape
and form a good foundation for Nick and his
academic future.
Fast-forward to this current school year,
September 3, 2014. I was talking to my new
class about my expectations and was alerted
by my students that there was someone at my
window. I turned my head and there pressing
his cowlick against my window was Nick. I
knew that he appreciated all of the energy and
effort I had put into his 1st- and 2nd-grade
years. He was coming to give back to me a little
of what I gave to him.
In late-August, I received a phone call from
my principal. She offered me the opportunity
to loop with my 1st-grade students up to 2nd
grade. Without hesitation, I accepted the
position and was SO excited to get back with
my students and continue the work that we had
started in 1st grade.
At the Back-to-School BBQ, when Nick and I
saw each other, he immediately said, “I don’t
need to know your rules! I already know what
you expect!”
I knew Nick’s 2nd-grade year was going to be
GREAT because we had worked together so
closely during 1st grade to develop a trusting
relationship.
Even though one of my main “duties” as a
teacher is to teach academics, with Nick I
needed to first teach him how to BE a student.
I taught and reinforced manners, kindness,
responsibility, and honesty to Nick. He was
treated like anyone else in my classroom and
seemed to want me to pay attention to himeither negative or positive.
Our time together was sometimes draining,
but I didn’t give up on Nick. I knew he could
succeed and I wanted to see him do exactly
that.
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Since the beginning of school, Nick has
recruited other friends to come into my
classroom with him to help tutor and monitor
students in my classroom during his recess
time.
As he walked around my classroom during a
recent math lesson, his head was held high and
his chest lifted. I loved watching him work with
a challenging student who is currently in my
classroom. Nick encouraged this student to do
his best. Nick complimented this student when
he answered a problem. Nick continued to
engage himself with this student in a way that I
engaged myself with him.
I will NEVER give up on a student no matter
how much time, effort, tears, and sweat they
take from me. I am encouraged to see the fruits
of my labor with Nick, and I will continue
sharing those fruits with students who are
placed inside my classroom.
2015 Washington State Teacher of the Year • From Seed to Apple