Friday’s Confession Booth: The final Chapter

Welcome to Friday's Confession Booth. To participate - you write a "Confession Post." It doesn't have to be serious, and you can read more about them HERE. Make sure you Enter the link-up below.  Then grab the button and place it in your post to link back and share with everyone's confessions.

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Today, I’m “confessing” for the last time.  I’m feeling more and more pressure to “confess” – and think I want to evolve it into something different.  I’ve actually been thinking about doing something with pictures and maybe on a different day… so we will see. 

Here is my confession.  I’ve cried 3 times this week.  Each time has involved students.

Earlier this week we did a “respect” building activity in some of my classes.  They had to write lists of qualities they liked about each other.  (I’m sure you’ve all heard about a version of this activity.) It is a great reminder to all about how amazing they are.  The lesson was amazing. Just awesome.  I loved every minute of seeing their faces as they read what their peers wrote about them.  Then came my last class.  They insisted I “do it too.”  So, to humor them, I made a card.  Which they all filled in turn with nice things about me.  A list… of nice things about me.  I’m not going to lie.  The minute that door shut at the end of the day, I sat down at my desk and cried.  Tears of appreciation.  I guess I needed that little card too. 

A few days ago a student drew me a picture.  She drew me with my kids and a dog.  I’m holding Alexander and the twins are sort of being drug along behind me.  And it is so sweet… So perfect.  It is like a cartoon snapshot of our house.  The fact that she took the time to draw it … for me?  The door shut and the tears came.  She gave up her time to make something special for me.

Finally… last night.  Parent’s night.  These simple words, “My kid loves your class.”  “Your class is my kid’s favorite subject.”  “My kid talks about your class all the time.”  … These words I needed to hear.  This is why I leave my kids and go to school everyday.  I cried on the way home.

People are so quick to point out all we are doing wrong.  Sometimes it is nice to hear what you are doing right.
 
Parents,
I get asked all the time what teachers want for “Christmas” ..etc.  You know what they really want?  A hand written card that says, “I really appreciate all you do for my kid.”  That’s it.  Not a candle. Or a potholder. Or a mug. (not to sound ungrateful….) but – just a simple statement of appreciation.

Thanks for confessing with me.  If you want to do it one more time – just grab the button and link up.