Oops...I dropped the ball!

Clearly I am not that talented at keeping up a blog - although I have good intentions!

I received an email today that made me realize, oops. I should probably be updating! So, here's the new goal. A short post each night that will take no longer than five minutes. I can definitely spare five minutes. :)

Ah, Tilden. It has been full of challenges so far. Most days I wake up and am still in shock that I need to get up, get ready, and go to school...to teach! My eight graders are a handful, as much I as really do love them. It has been up and down, and up and down with these kids. So many things have happened in the last almost four months. Here's a quick rundown:

• I just got a new section of students two weeks ago from today. That's right. I got 25 new students at the end of November. It has been a challenge. I did not (nor do I still) know these kids, other than by name. I am not sure what to make of them most days, and my rapport with them is still something to be worked on.
• As of last week my students (all of the eighth grade) were forced to stay in their homeroom classes for their expressive arts (elective) classes. This means, whenever I have a prep period, my kids are in the classroom. So much for prepping...
• Several of my students have shown tremendous growth in the last few months. One girl in particular continues to surprise me. With English still being a struggle for her, she has overcome that weakness and is kicking my math classes butt!

Most days it is hard to get up and convince myself that it's going to be a good day (because most of the time they're not), but each morning I am reminded of why I am doing what I'm doing. Every morning I drive into the disheveled neighborhood and think about how unfair it is that these kids, simply by being born into this neighborhood, have so much less than I and so many others in our country. It is a crime. Literally.

Lastly for tonight, you can check out a talk I gave at my church, The Well, and while you're there, check out the website. I love my church...they are my sustaining force right now. Thanks everyone!