one reason why i teach

i had a fifth grade student who was not really quite with it on wednesday. i had to take him away from his drum because he was not making good choices at all. i'm thankful for discernment when i teach because at that moment i asked him what is going on. his reply, i just really haven't been sleeping. i told him i understood, and that he can take a little break. well, then friday came. he did absolutely awesome! i ended up giving him a way to go ticket, which the kids think are the best thing ever. and he ended up being the last one to leave after their class was over. i told him how proud i was of him and that he was paying attention and doing exactly what was asked of him. he said thank you and with tears in his eyes he said i am doing this for my step-dad. i told him well your step-dad would be very proud of you...you should tell him about it. he said something else and then said still with tears in his eyes, that his step-dad went to jail last night. and that's why i teach. those moments my students open up their lives to me makes me love what i do. and those moments are what i hang on to when i have a bad day at school. i feel extremely blessed to be a teacher.