Movin on up to Middle School!

2 weeks are up at the Middle School and I'm actually loving it there! Just like the Elementary school I was at, my middle school is filled with low socio-economic families that a very transient and diverse. Compared to my background at a private Christian school that I attended from K-12, I can hardly get further away! Something my mom mentioned the other day when I was telling her about the school really struck me. She said maybe this is God's way of preparing me for this kind of work- working with low socio-economic diverse kids. I always figured I teach in a private school or at least a not very diverse school, but so far I've loved these schools and kids! I love going to school in the morning to see what's going to happen next and what else I can learn about these kids. Sometimes it breaks my heart when I hear about their backgrounds or even current lives, but it's giving God a way to work through me and into the students.

The first week at the school for me was filled with mostly observations and doing attendance so I could learn the names of the kids. The schedule set in place is Monday/Tuesday fitness, Wednesday/Thursday unit sports, Friday swimming. I think it's a good practice to have a lot of fitness days so the kids can learn lifelong ways to stay fit. Swimming was new for me. I never had swimming when I was in school but I was started in it early and always loved to do it. It was crazy to see that some of the kids had never gone swimming before! We actually had a new girl who had never been in water more than a bathtub so I got to see how she would acclimate herself to the pool.

The second week was filled with a lot more personality! By then, I knew almost all the names and I was actually getting to know the kids outside of class. I know who to stand on and who to encourage. I also know that when we put on music during our exercises, there are certain kids to watch and you can catch them dancing or singing! It's hilarious! I love seeing them doing their moves and then get caught in the act! I don't have the "homeboy" speak down, but I still get respect! I'm loving it and I pray it stays great!