“And will you succeed? Yes! You will indeed!(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed)” Dr. Suess

    I hope that the Dr. Suess quote will ring true for me!  Creating my blog page has proven to be more difficult than I anticipated.  I am not the most technologically savvy student. Speaking of quotes...the quote in my header is one that I refer to if I am having a particularly challenging day.   It reminds me of a moment I had last year while attending my own childrens' school fall festival.  I had requested the evening off from my second job to attend the event.  This is always a moral dilema for me as I believe in "family first" but as a single mom I truly need every penny from both of my jobs to make ends meet.  Because it was an extremely social event for my children I decided to take the evening off.  Of course, as soon as we hit the front gates, all three were greeted by friends and off they went.  I strategically sat myself close to the entrance where I could watch my little men and lady but still maintain a decent amount of distance so that they didn't know I was watching.  Lost in thought and letting my own wheels drive me crazy, I was suddenly knocked back into reality when I heard "Ms. Whitman?!!!!"   As I looked up I expected to see one of my Kinder students who perhaps was attending the festival with a cousin or friend. Instead, I saw a child that I recognized but wasn't quite sure where I had seen her before.  I stood up to greet her and I quickly realized it was one of my former students from a previous district that I had worked in. I had been her 2nd grade teacher.  She was now in 8th grade and had moved into my neighborhood.We exchanged hugs and before I could say anything she proceeded to say "Thank you, Ms. Whitman!".  I was puzzled.  She went on to tell her friends that I was her hero and she loved me because I taught her to read when she didn't think she could. Silly, giddy junior high girl! Her mom had passed away when she was in first grade and her dad struggled with single parenthood and she had very little support and guidance at home.   It wasn't until she said, "My dad always says I'm stupid, but I don't cry anymore. I know I'm smart because you always told us readers are leaders and I can read!"  I had to hold back my tears. It was a bittersweet moment for me. It crushed me to know that someone so important to her had told her she was stupid, especially since she began receiving special education services the year she was my student and also made me feel a sense of pride that I had made such a tremendous impact in her little life.  This served as a powereful reminder to me that although we may not have alot of material possessions I have my children and they have me.  I am successful because I have had a postitive impact on not only my own children but also  in the lives of others  where postitive experiences are few and far between. I am glad I did not go to work that night. :)