Tuesday, May 15, 2012

I made a difference

I got some really amazing news a few nights ago.


 There are three boys I worked with every single Monday morning this year. As third graders, math was not their subject, to say the least. There were tears, frustrations and laughter along the way. There were Mondays that I walked out of my sessions that I wondered if I really was going to make a difference with them. 


 I remember one Monday that one of the boys hit that "wall."  I could tell he wanted to give up, but I knew he was so close to getting it.  I got down on his level and saw tears in his eyes and the wanting to walk away in his eyes.  I told him that I had been there too and told him my story of that moment.  I told him I believed in him and I did not want him to give up.


I saw their teacher a few nights ago after they took their end of year exams.   All three of them passed their Math EOG's. I was amazed. The teacher said it was because of my help that they passed.  I walked away with a smile on my face.  But once I told my husband, I could not believe it.  I felt silly emailing the teacher to confirm it.


I decided I needed to reward the boys for their hard work.  I wanted to make them a treat, but my husband reminded me that I can't take in homemade treats.  So, I bought each a candy bar.


I walked into school on this Monday and saw one of the boys and he asked me if I wanted him to get the other boys and I told him "no."  I could tell there was a look of confusion in his eyes.  I told him that he did not need me anymore and the look in his eyes did not change.  I told him he passed the math test and I could tell he did not believe me.  I thought this was weird as my son knew his scores on Friday, so I told him again.  At that point, my eyes started to tear up.  I  told him how proud of him I was and how excited I was for him.  I think he was still confused until I handed him the candy bar and he got it.  A big smile came over his face.  I gave him a big hug and asked him not to get me in trouble for giving him the candy bar.  


That was one of the best moments in my life.


I am so glad that I made a difference to those three boys.

3 comments:

  1. It is great when it clicks and they finally get it and learn it.

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  2. That is so good! Yay for you, and YAY for the boy!!!

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  3. Beautiful! Isn't it just so that we never really know the effect we have while we're having it...

    Aloha,
    Following ya from the hop and loving what I've read so far. We're spending this wordless Wednesday just oh so quietly sharing a cup of something warm and yummy and linking up with friends-- I'd love it if you'd join us.

    xo,
    Nicole
    localsugarhawaii.com

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