This one requires some background information. The boy I've been working with for 2 weeks now, we'll call him "M," has been failing math. He is a sharp kid. He's funny, witty and surprises you with random knowledge constantly. He's taken to me. He runs up to me with a high five or hug daily. Every time I go into the classroom, I'm greeted with enthusiasm (what more could you ask for, right?!).
He gets frustrated when he doesn't know the answer right away, though. He asks for help or says he doesn't get it. I say, "M, I know you know this. You did this problem perfectly yesterday. You can do it again." I've taught him little tricks to remember things (like what an acute angle is... what an Isoceles triangle is... rhymes for remembering multiplication answers, etc). He catches on very quickly, especially when somebody instills some confidence in him.
They had a math test on Thursday. I told his teacher I wanted to do something special for him and the other two kids I've been working with if they got a C or above. I really thought a C would have been an accomplishment by itself. I checked in with their teacher twice on Thursday to see if they had been graded, but no luck. Today, I went out for recess. When the fourth graders came out, M came running full speed at me!
He gives me this HUGE hug and says, "LIZ! I GOT AN A ON THE TEST!!" I thought he was pulling my leg for a second, "REALLY?!" He says, "Yes! And when I finished the test, I knew I did well so I said, 'ALL because of Liz.'" Is that not the SWEETEST thing?!
Honestly, I nearly cried with the amount of pride I felt for him and the other two I've been working with (they got B's... which of course it amazing, too... however, they were still not satisfied with themselves). I also nearly cried because ALL they needed was TWO weeks of special attention. That's it!
What is great about my job other than all these Smile Sightings? WATCHING my hard work pay off. Finally, something I'm doing shows marked improvement in somebody's life.
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