I've had two recent additions to my already crazy 5th period... both recently out of some type of Lock Up or Juvey or something. One of them really scared me - his resting facial expression just looks mean! We'll call him Zeus.
I really was timid and shaky around Zeus, as he's seemingly always in trouble and others express fear of him too. I think he hangs out with the people he hangs with because they tend to be the only stable thing in his life. But I made up my mind that he just needs love and stability and to be believed in just like anyone else. So I started greeting him with a smile at the door every day, I started seeking to "catch" him doing right and encourage him immediately, and I started praising him greatly when he did well on assignments and tests. He's actually quite bright when he applies himself. One day he finally smiled back and he wasn't scary at ALL, in fact, he was so kind looking!
Before Spring Break I had to give a quiz, and my 5th period (last class of the day) were itching to get out of there. Zeus made it clear he did not want to take the quiz. I handed it to him anyway with a smile and when I turned around he threw it on the floor. When I looked back I said, "who's quiz is that?" and he said, "I dunno." I smiled an "I know it's yours smile" and said, "Come on Zeus, take the quiz." And to my surprise, he picked it up and got to work.
At the end of the period, a few minutes before the bell, he was standing by the door and I just felt overwhelmed to express care and love for him, but wasn't sure how. So I just decided to wing it (aka, let the Spirit lead). And out came the words "Do you have a job?" He said he did and told me where. I asked if he would be working a lot during Spring Break, and he said yes. Then I just stared at him, smiling, not sure of what to say next, then out came "are you going to come back to me next week safely?" He just stared at me, then said, "yes ma'am." Then he began spewing, telling me that "They" (the police I guess) were trying to lock him up again, but he didn't do anything wrong, and all he had was a month left on probation, but that next week (Spring Break) was gonna be hard to not get in trouble. I nodded and listened, then held out my hands like scales and said, "Zeus, one week of your life of being good versus getting your whole life back next month." and I moved my hands up and down as though weighing the two options. He then looked me in the eyes, nodded and smiled and said, "A'ight Miss, I'll be good, I'll come back safe." Then I held out my arms for a hug, and (again to my surprise) he gave me a huge hug. Then the bell rang and he left.
I prayed for him tons over the break, and wondered how he was doing. Couldn't wait til 5th period on Monday to see him again. And in he came, looked at me and smiled. I couldn't help but smile back. And he came over and gave me another hug, and then sat and got to work. Now he's helping me in class, doing small little things like pick up books and put them away, quiet the other kids when they are getting rowdy, throw trash away for me, etc. It's CRAZY!!!!
Each day brings new opportunities for God to use me, a broken vessel, to love His wounded and hurting children. I really am amazed. I have to hide my surprise when I see that Love really does overcome every boundary. I guess it drives the scripture home when Jesus said "They'll know us by our Love". Thanks to you - my friends/family - who are reading this. I know your support and prayers are with me and I am grateful.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
March is the new February
What I mean is, usually February is the month filled with love and encouragement and people lavishing those they care about with gifts and flowers and such. Not so for me in the year Two Thousand and Eleven.
Here's some pics of art and gifts that have been left behind for me in the last few weeks (btw, I removed or changed names just to protect the kids and their privacy) :
All of the board art was left by girls, not surprising.
These two cute little "fuzzies" were given to me by two freshmen boys. They are in a program called AVID which is an awesome program that takes kids that teeter on the line of failing school but who want to try and it pairs them with mentors and teaches them study skills and habits and how to take good notes, etc. It really has been transforming some of my kids right in front of my eyes - I'm a huge fan of AVID. The kids were encouraged to make a "fuzzy" for their favorite teacher - I was so flattered to receive TWO! :)
But this probably meant the absolute most. There's one kid that I really like and have been investing a lot of love, time and patience in. I've assigned him detention on many occasions, but instead of sending him to the main school D-Hall, I have him stay in my room and help me with tasks and we talk about how he's doing and what he could do better. I feel like this is more effective than just sending the kids away. Once, I asked about his family: he said he lived with his guardian, that his dad was in jail, and he didn't want to talk about where his mom was. My heart broke. I've written about him before here and here and here and here. He's such a funny kid (he keeps me laughing through the craziness of my 5th period), so easy going, he takes teasing so well, and he dishes it out back. This past six weeks I've seen a transformation in him. He went from making Cs to making an A! He tries hard, he answers my questions, he's engaged in learning, and he doesn't cut up and distract others near as much. And the other day, I noticed he left me a message. A girl had written "Lauren loves Mrs. Miller" and he took a marker and added "But 'Dalls' loves her more." My heart sings.
I think I'm just blown away that they sense how much I really love each of them and how well they respond to it. I hope and pray God is using me to help shape their futures and hopefully encourage them to bigger and greater things.
Here's some pics of art and gifts that have been left behind for me in the last few weeks (btw, I removed or changed names just to protect the kids and their privacy) :
All of the board art was left by girls, not surprising.
These two cute little "fuzzies" were given to me by two freshmen boys. They are in a program called AVID which is an awesome program that takes kids that teeter on the line of failing school but who want to try and it pairs them with mentors and teaches them study skills and habits and how to take good notes, etc. It really has been transforming some of my kids right in front of my eyes - I'm a huge fan of AVID. The kids were encouraged to make a "fuzzy" for their favorite teacher - I was so flattered to receive TWO! :) 
But this probably meant the absolute most. There's one kid that I really like and have been investing a lot of love, time and patience in. I've assigned him detention on many occasions, but instead of sending him to the main school D-Hall, I have him stay in my room and help me with tasks and we talk about how he's doing and what he could do better. I feel like this is more effective than just sending the kids away. Once, I asked about his family: he said he lived with his guardian, that his dad was in jail, and he didn't want to talk about where his mom was. My heart broke. I've written about him before here and here and here and here. He's such a funny kid (he keeps me laughing through the craziness of my 5th period), so easy going, he takes teasing so well, and he dishes it out back. This past six weeks I've seen a transformation in him. He went from making Cs to making an A! He tries hard, he answers my questions, he's engaged in learning, and he doesn't cut up and distract others near as much. And the other day, I noticed he left me a message. A girl had written "Lauren loves Mrs. Miller" and he took a marker and added "But 'Dalls' loves her more." My heart sings.I think I'm just blown away that they sense how much I really love each of them and how well they respond to it. I hope and pray God is using me to help shape their futures and hopefully encourage them to bigger and greater things.
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