Teacher Appreciation Week

This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week, and yes, you should feel guilty if you didn't know or if you didn't fund 100% of a state's teacher donation accounts like Steven Colbert. I got all kinds of swag from my school - a consortium tee shirt, a consortium gym bag, and a free lunch. But nothing can compare to the beautiful notes I received from students. I received 51 total notes and every note felt better than that delicious, free barbecue.

I chose as few of my favorite as possible. Some were my favorite because they were so beautiful, some were funny, and others were from completely unexpected sources. I am going to treasure these forever, and so I will save them where they can't get lost (since I already lost one of my favorite from reading it repeatedly (and apparently in unusual places)).

 

 

 My lost favorite note said this: "Thank you for always talking to me when you see I can use an ear and a friend. I really love when you laugh at me because it shows that you are human and can have fun with your students. You made it so easy to come to talk to you when I first became homeless. There is a reason I came to you first. You really stepped up to the plate with giving me those plates of food and changed everything for me. I wanna say a lot more, but words will not express enough what I really want to say."

I'm feeling pretty dang appreciated. I love these kids.

Jamiah's Selfie with Michelle

Last week we had the opportunity to go on a field trip with our seniors to Detroit Decision Day where seniors from schools throughout Detroit celebrated their college acceptance and enrollment for next year. Kids got tee shirts, bags, and hats from the schools they were attending, and speakers included Jim Harbaugh (University of Michigan football coach), Ciara, and Michelle Obama.

Before the event I kept bragging to Ben that I was going to get a selfie with Michelle. I was pretty close to getting a selfie, if you consider sitting a football field away and watching her on the Jumbotron similar to a selfie. But, one of my favorite students, Jamiah, who was our school representative got to see her up close and personal. Plus, because she was right behind Michelle during the speech, she is in almost every picture of the event. Pretty much, Jamiah and Michelle are best friends. Jamiah is on the right right next to Michelle's head in the picture below.

 

Michelle's speech was inspiring to me personally, and I think the whole event was meaningful to my students. It was great to be a part of it. Truthfully, kind of surreal. Just one more thing exciting my students about college.