A little holiday cheer

The holiday season is definitely upon us as educators (see last week's post). So many kids are stressed and anxious, and adults are too. Lots of sad events are happening locally, nationally, in indivudual families. Rather than let myself be dragged down by all the negativity and sadness (because that is all too easy sometimes), I have been trying to think about what makes me happy about teaching/administrating/middle school/ELL. Here are a few things that have happened that I've seen, heard, or experienced that have made me happy: 

• I love it when a student I don't even teach calls me her "favorite teacher" on a Christmas card attached to a thoughtful gift
• I love it when my co-AP and I laugh about life things or school things or anything, because we all need a little levity. 
• It warms my heart when I bring in a typical Puerto Rican Christmas meal for my class, and they are so thankful they thank me multiple times. 
• I am thankful when a colleague gives me a much-needed bear hug. 
• I love it when one of our ELL students says that her pullout classes are like a family. 
• It makes me happy when students and teachers make many cards and contributions to a basket for one of our ELL student who is recovering from surgery. 
• It makes me smile when my new student, who checks in with me every single morning for me to guide him to his first class, finally tells me he know where to go, and goes on his own.
• I love to see this same student surprise me with pockets of knowledge I never suspected he had, like expertise in sewing, and card tricks. Who knew?
• It fills my heart when a student calls me her "second mom". 
• I love that my school is intergrating, teaching, moving us forward in thinking about important social justice issues such as immigration, refugees, transgender identity, gender roles, and more. 

This holiday season, I hope you can all find things to make you happy and filled with love and gratitude, and hope for the future. Love and hold your families tight, and enjoy every second you have. Especially if you have your own kids - squeeze them tight and let them know daily that they are loved. 

Happy holidays to all and here's to a peaceful 2017. Stay tuned for new blog posts after the holiday break! 

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