Associate's Meeting Recap

This Thursday and Friday I got to attend my Associates Conference again. This time we talked about nurturing pedagogy and how to reach every child. I got a chance to look back on some of the wonderful teachers I have had over the past years. We also got to watch the movie Tuesdays with Morrie. I finished this book before Christmas break and loved it. I was excited to see the movie and recommend both to everyone.

During the conference I had a chance to look at the kids in my class this year and really reflect on the year. Many of you know, this year has been a struggle. It's funny how some years are really easy and some years just aren't. The funny thing is that I am enjoying this year a lot. On Wednesday I had to give reading tests. One little boy struggled on the same test in the fall. Second graders are supposed to pass a level 18 in the Fall and he only passed a 12. Some days I wondered if I was making any progress with him. He tries so hard and wants to do so well. Well Wednesday I gave him his reading test. I was going to give him a level 16, simply hoping that he would pass. Something told me to give him a level 18....and he passed with flying colors! Granted they are supposed to pass a level 24 now, but that improvement made my whole week.

I never realized how attached to these kids I am. My principal attends these meetings with me and was telling a story about a little boy in my class who had gotten in trouble. He said to the principal, "Are you going to call my mom? Cause if you do she will hit me." I lost it. The tears started flowing. These kids deal with so much more than I did at their age. I only hope that in some small way I am making a difference.