Teenagers

The best thing about teenagers is that they often exceed our expectations.  Our school had a chance to be involved in a service project to raise money and beautify our school sponsored by Comcast.  The neighboring school had around 500 volunteers participate last year.  Our goal was 650.  We had 1, 068 people show up and work for 3-4 hours cleaning, planting, weeding, and painting.  As I went around taking photos, it amazed me to see these kids giving up a Saturday morning to give service to their own school.  I saw lots of smiles and no complaining.

Today, I read through the blogs my students started for their projects.  Again, they far exceeded my expectations.  I knew most of them would be able to navigate the technology (most of them far better than I can!) but they are so open about what interests them.  I don't always get to see that passion in traditional assignments, and this has been a real treat so far.  This is one of the many reasons I love my job!

Willpower

I was driving down the road last week and ended up behind a white SUV with a WILLPOWER sticker in the window.  These stickers come from our friend Marianne, whose husband lost a battle with lung cancer.  His family and business came up with the slogan to support him in his fight, and I have one of them in my window at school to remind me that life is precious.  I sped up to see who was driving in case it was someone I knew.  I was shocked and sickened to see a woman driving, smoking a cigarette.  If anything represented the absolute opposite of what was intended, this was it.

I've been thinking a lot about willpower since then.  The best thing about willpower is that it is never truly lost.  You can always find it and bring it back, no matter how long it has been since you've seen it or if you've never had it in your life.  I love the chance to recommit - whether it be for an intellectual, physical or spiritual goal. I've gotten very comfortable and a little apathetic adjusting to the empty nest phase in life.  I've decided to invite Willpower back into my life and look forward to making the most out of the time I've been given.

4th quarter

     The best thing about 4th quarter is that the end is in sight.  The weather warms up and you can finally kiss dismal winter goodbye.  The seniors are getting their college acceptance letters and making plans for "real life".  It's weird, but reflecting on all the mistakes and lame lessons you have executed during the year just make you excited to fix them for the next one.
     My journalism students are starting to work on their own blog projects (finally!) which made me look at this one - the one I started so long ago.  I'm looking forward to reading what they have to say, and I'm glad for the motivation to get back into writing myself.  Teaching really is the best job in the world - 4th quarter is a good reminder of that when you see everything coming together.