22 Reminders

It's that time of year again.

Fortunately, I serve in an amazing school system that values people more than numbers.  However, the pressure remains.

I waste time fretting about all of the factors that are beyond my control.  Details of their lives that desperately need my attention go unnoticed because my attention is elsewhere.
  My classroom is my sanctuary.  I get to become the best version of myself as I enter the door to Room 134.  I love my work, and to me, it is not a "job."  It is one of my favorite identities.

The anxiety of testing relegates my work to a job.. a performance.  It is as if someone extracted the light bulb from within a lamp in order to examine the bulb's wattage and design.  We undermine the efficacy and purpose of the bulb when we dismantle its parts.

The potential of a human, no matter how small, is so much greater than the sum of its parts.

It is with this conviction that I compose these thoughts.  Last year, I wrote about my 21 Reasons Why... in this season, I hold fast to 22 reminders.  These are the precious moments that I treasure and value.  These are my glimpses at the elusive sums of unquantifiable parts- each one uniquely brilliant and breathtaking.  As I reflect upon this school year, the quantifiable data will depreciate in its value and consequence, while these are the stories and attributes that I want to remember in the years to come.

1) I want to remember "Strom" Wars and your subdued laughter.  I want remember the way you light up with an insatiable curiosity when we begin a new science unit.  I want to remember the feeling I had when your mom told me that you claimed that I was the "best" teacher you ever had.  It was only the third week of school, and while your sentiments may have since changed, I have spent every day trying to be that kind of teacher- the kind you deserve- the "best" kind.  Most of all, I want to remember the way your peers are transformed and inspired by your kindness.  Everyone is excited when assigned to your group because they are familiar with your work ethic, your compassion, and your humble leadership.

2) I want to remember every, "I Love You, Mrs. Hecker."  I want to hold on to every hug.  I want to recall your overwhelming joy for the small things- the gorilla video... the morning meeting gifs... the "interesting" pieces of artwork at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.  I want to remember your love for your peers- your desire to invite everyone to each "Lunch Bunch" purchased at the Hecker Store.  I want to remember your questions, your honesty, your frequent gifts of fruit in the mornings.  I want to remember feeling so loved by a little boy who exemplifies the empathy that our world often lacks.

3) I want to remember the way you invited the new student to eat lunch with you on his first day at Randolph.  I want to remember your desire to do well- your excitement when your grades reflect what I have known all along- that you are brilliant.  I want to remember the way I felt when I met you on Back To School Night, and you told me that before I even knew your name, you wanted to be in my classroom.  I cling to those words every day, and I feel so privileged and humbled to be your teacher.

4) I want to remember sitting next to you at Theatre IV.  You talked to me about your sisters and your grandmother.  You were in our class for a few months, but your fingerprints remain, and your absence is felt every day.  I want to remember the way you protected and cared for your siblings.  I want to remember your resilience.  I want to remember the way you challenged my definition of strength.  Sometimes strength is quiet, and sometimes it is loud. And sometimes strength looks like a little boy.  I want to remember your passion, and I hope it never dims.

5) I want to remember the way you light up when given well-deserved accolades.  I want to remember the look on your face when I showed up at your house the first time- so much confusion and gratitude.  I want to remember the crafts that you bring me occasionally... the small gestures that decorate my white board and lift my spirit.  I look at them every morning and absorb your kind words- they remind me of why I love what I do and why it is important.  I want to remember your humility, your quiet perseverance, and your kindness- towards your teachers and your peers.  You keep your burdens like secrets, safeguarded. Despite life's injustice, you quietly strive for excellence.  You do not make excuses. You never give pity a foothold.  I want to remember your quiet hope... your humble perseverance.  These qualities convict and inspire me every day.

6) I want to remember the way you positively affect everyone around you.  Your optimism and work ethic set you apart, and your peers enjoy working with you.  I want to remember the way you insist that your classmates give you a "high-five" before they leave school each day.  You make others feel important and valued.  I want to remember the way you laugh at your own silly jokes.  Your laughter is infectious, and your joy makes our classroom into a more positive place.

7) I want to remember your infectious humor and quick wit.  I want to remember finally earning that first hug. I want to remember all of the small ways you have left your comfort zone this year and demonstrated a level of empathy that is rarely realized by adults. I want to remember the way you recognize and affirm excellence.  You admire your peers' accomplishments with sincere gratitude, and they ascend to meet your high praise.  I want to remember reviewing the cell city group reflections-- you were the only person within your group that did not perceive your own contributions as worthy of a perfect score. Your reflective insight humbled my own pride. I want to remember your frequent questions, your eager desire to help, your passion for growth- in yourself and in your peers.  I want to remember your bright personality that lifted the entire dynamic within our classroom and raised the limits of the possible to new heights.

8) I want to remember your overwhelming enthusiasm for European history.  I want to remember the feeling that I had when you told me that you chose Creative Writing as your elective for 6th grade-- following a year of disassembling your tearful misconceptions about "good" writers.  You are an outstanding writer, and you have been all along-- you just didn't know it.  I want to remember the way you get so excited when you make a connection or have something to share-- it's as if someone has shaken a soda bottle, and you can barely wait for the explosion of thoughts and information to rush forth and baptize the audience in an unexpected surge of facts and stories.  I hope that I exude that much passion into my teaching.

9) I want to remember your creativity and attention to detail- the way you can make a piece of paper into something beautiful and unexpected.  You possess such an exceptional gift in your ability to see purpose and utility for the parts and pieces that most of us simply discard.  You see beauty in the forsaken bits.  I pray for this gift- to see what is easily overlooked, to appreciate it... to make its beauty evident.  You are unafraid of independence.  Your vision compels you, and the end product is always awe-inspiring.  I want to remember your determination, your creativity, and your quiet sensitivity to each detail.

10) I want to remember your laughter.  Every one in our class enjoys working with you because they know that laughter is a guaranteed byproduct.  I think that twenty years from now, I will still know the sound of your laughter because I hear it 23,485,492 times each day, and I pray I never take it for granted.  I believe that God gifts certain individuals with beacons of immutable joy.  No matter the circumstance, these individuals emit warmth and positivity. They are unafraid to laugh at their own expense.  You possess such a precious gift.  Your peers feel it, and we are all better for it.

11) I want to remember your sincerity. I want to remember your sweet southern drawl, your compassion for all creatures, and your desire to succeed.  You are so bright and so kind.  You are perhaps one of the most compassionate and most polite little boys I have ever met.  You advocate for your peers when needed, and you exemplify respect.  You have gained the respect and admiration of everyone in our classroom because you are considerate, genuine, and diligent.  You have such a big heart filled to the brim with kindness.  Our classroom is a more benevolent place because you are a part of it.

12) I want to remember your humble and quiet leadership. In one of my favorite books, Katherine Applegates purports that "Humans waste words.  They toss them like banana peels and leave them to rot.  Everyone knows the peels are the best part," (The One and Only Ivan).  While you may appear more reserved than your peers, your silence speaks louder than wasted words.  You share your thoughts when it is timely, but you allow others to speak first without interruption or complaint.  You are a fantastic listener, and your positive choices speak louder than our reckless words.  Your peers enjoy being with you because you lead by example.  You listen intently before sharing your thoughts-- the world could use more individuals like you.  Our classroom is a more respectful place because you are a part of it.

13) I want to remember your audacity... your silly side... your sassy tenacity.  Every day as we walk inside from recess, you magically make your way to the front of the line and tell me hyperbolic stories with dramatic emotion.  While my attention is often pulled elsewhere, I treasure your stories and extravagant theatrics.  It is perhaps my favorite part of the day.  I love your stories, your songs, and your bold emotions.  When you are absent, the class feels it all day, but I feel it most during that walk from the pavilion to the backdoor.

14) I want to remember your ingenuity.  I want to remember the way you pursue your goals with an unparalleled quiet determination.  On Back to School Night, you entered my classroom and immediately shook my hand.  You introduced yourself and expressed your intent to apply for the position of classroom banker.  I was so impressed, and in that moment, I knew that being your teacher would be an enormous privilege.  You are a valued friend because of your humble leadership and kindness.

15) I want to remember the first time I witnessed your "silly side." You introduced yourself by a new nickname, and it immediately stuck.  I want to remember the way you can illuminate the entire classroom with your smile.  Your peers enjoy your company because of your positivity and fun ideas.  I want to remember your Toontastic video with the character that looked like you and your "Johnny Appleseed" presentation. I love seeing your personality reflected in your projects. I want to remember your determination to learn and to succeed, and the pride that we share when you exceed your goals.  Our classroom is a more joyful place because you are a part of it.

16) I want to remember the way you recognize needs and fill them without being asked.  You possess a beautiful gift in your ability to perceive when and where help is required.  You are an excellent friend, and your kindness is a force within our classroom.  You quickly filled the role of "best friend" for several of your classmates who really needed your affirmation, encouragement, and influence.  I want to remember your kindness, your compassion, and your sensitivity to others' needs.

17) I want to remember your genuine interest in your peers.  In the fall, you were given a writing assignment- to describe your goals and ambitions for fifth grade.  I was impressed by your response; you wrote about becoming an advocate for your classmates.  This year, you have been a proponent and trusted friend to every student within our classroom.  I am so grateful for the way that you care for your peers and for the way they trust you.  You challenge and inspire all of us with your endless grace, patience, and altruism.

18) I want to remember your friendship with Ms. Selma, your curiosity, and your love of stories.  Every Tuesday, I look at the back table, and you and Ms. Selma are preoccupied sharing life experiences.  While it takes you longer to get your contract work done, I do not mind because I know that the relationship takes precedence, and you are learning from a fantastic teacher.  I am so grateful for the way you interact with our volunteers and classroom guests.  Classroom visitors always remember your name because of the way you engage in conversations.  I want to remember your insatiable interest in the world around you and the people in it.

19) I want to remember your eloquence and independence.  You are self-motivated and driven to succeed.  I want to remember the way you humbly and selflessly make positive choices without want of praise or acknowledgement-- simply because it is the right thing to do.  Whether it's picking up another student's trash, walking silently in the hallways, or helping a peer get packed-up for early dismissal, I know that I can trust you to set a positive example.  You never ask for permission or seek my approval, therefore it may seem that your actions and choices are frequently unnoticed.  However, your fingerprints of kindness are felt by everyone in our classroom.  I know that all of your peers will strive for more when placed in your small group or when sitting beside you because your character creates an atmosphere of excellence.  I want to remember the strength of your character- the sum of the wordless choices that challenges all of us to be better.

20) I want to remember your excitement for daily routines.  You get so thrilled for Mystery Number Mondays, Bubble Pop Review Games, and Kahoot.  It makes me feel valued as your teacher, and it creates an environment of engagement within our classroom.  Your gratitude for these routine activities inspires and challenges me in my lesson planning.  Your anticipated response is often my motivation for creating more engaging tasks and games to use during daily instruction.  I want to remember your encouragement and appreciation for me as your teacher. For most students, the excitement and appreciation of a new teacher wears off after the first nine weeks, but you have continued to express your gratitude for me and for your Room 134 family every day. 

21) I want to remember your dependability.  You are perhaps the most responsible 10 year old I have ever met.  I love the way you help your peers.  You hold them accountable while still treating them with kindness and positivity.  Your classmates enjoy working with you because they know that they can trust you to lead them to success.  I want to remember the way you seek opportunities to help, and you selflessly volunteer your time to assist others without complaint.  You are a dynamic leader among your peers.  You work well with any and everyone, and you bring out the best in others. 

22) Even though you have only been with us for a short time, I want to remember your
sweet voice, your desire to please your teachers, and your kindness for your peers.  You are adaptable, and you quickly became a fundamental part of our Room 134 family.  You are a good friend to your classmates, and they are so encouraged by your presence.  You are a priceless addition to our class, and we are all so grateful for you.

Today, as you begin MAPs testing, I want to hold fast to who you are.  Data can quantify certain attributes, but the sum is much greater.  You are much greater.