A serious post

It's been approximately two and a half weeks since E-Day and our community is still slowly trying to find its balance. The school I teach at has been very fortunate that there was little to no structural damage done to the building, but other schools were not so lucky. Because of the movement, students have yet to resume school, but a return is slated for this upcoming Monday. Fingers, toes, and eyeballs crossed for a relatively easy transition - both for them and me!

Anyway, enough of that and on to more uplifting stories. Because it's been a few weeks - and frightening ones as that - our school had its second open house tonight. I called it "Open House v2.0." I didn't quite have the attendance I would have liked BUT I did have a surprising visitor that totally made my night.

Right as open house was supposed to be ending, I heard a family in the hallway discussing which rooms were third grade rooms. I didn't pay the conversation much attention until I heard someone ask another person in the hallway, "Where is Ms. Vaughan's room?" This piqued my interest because a)I was curious to know who was looking for me who didn't already know where to find me and b)this person used my maiden name. The answerer of the question directed the family into my room, and when they entered I was completely blown away. In walks this little girl who was in the kindergarten class I student taught in two years ago. I'd like to point out this school is a few counties over in a suburban area. I immediately recognized her, and she I, and she literally ran across the room and jumped in my arms. It turns out this little girl saw me at school on E-Day and recognized me "by my hair" (which she assured me, was a good thing, thank goodness) and was determined to find me tonight.

The simple fact that she remembered who I was AND my name, and had such an ecstatic reaction to me really gives me chills. I mean, this girl was a six year old kindergartner in another county the last time I saw her two years ago, and she was able to place and name me out of context. Wow... Just wow.

I'll admit. This year has already been somewhat of a struggle for me as I try to find my footing as my own teacher. I don't have college lesson plan formats or intern supervisors evaluating every idea I have or even a collaborative teacher to oversee my thoughts and guide my processing. I've always had an idea of the type of teacher I want to be, but bringing that teacher to life has been challenging. And while I know it will continue to be a challenge - and maybe always will be - the interaction I had tonight with a former student was so refreshing. Clearly, I must have done something right.