Why I love being an Educator....

Today, I was at an exciting (eyes rolling) monthly workforce status meeting when a past student showed up in tears. Of course, I slipped away to get to the bottom of what was up. It took a moment for the student to get herself together but she was holding a packet of paper and shaking.

***NOTE: get comfy, story is a little long but I MUST set it up properly for you to get my feelings and the entire scenario here.******

Let me set the stage completely..this is a past student I tutored in High School level subjects. I was a teacher in Elem Grades but have always tutored privately in a variety of subjects EXCEPT for Math. Anyway, this student had a terrible trauma occur in her junior year in HS and 3 months later dropped out. She was on a downward slope when our paths crossed. No confidence, believed she was a failure and had all but given up on getting her HS Diploma OR furthering her Education in any way. Anyway, she "heard" about me through another Boy I tutored and wanted to talk to me. Several other LARGE tutoring organizations had turned her down because she had NO money, NO credit to get financing and MOST stated, had dropped out thereby labeling her as a trouble-maker and poor student. Well, I agree to meet this unknown student & interview her. Usually, first meeting I talk and get to know my potential victims...O.K. students, about 30 minutes or so. For this very unique young lady, we talked for 1.5 hours. Long story short I agree to tutor her for many reasons but my favorite is because she read a 2 page essay she had written as to why she is begging me to tutor her for Free and accept items for trade in lieu of Cash. Personally, I loved her style and she had me at Essay, by why let her know that. Fast Forward a bit, student comes to tutor sessions on time, prepared and ready to learn. She is dedicated and thoughtful and I desperately at that point want her to enroll back in traditional schooling. After many convos I come to accept that she is not interested in this idea so we move on to plan "B." Student tells me about her poverty situation, her trauma in the past and many other things related to her academic past. In all honesty, I became different with this student. Usually, I am warm but very progress driven in regards to tutoring. We work and crack the codes and focus on meeting needs, understanding materials and getting student to successfully progress as needed. When I am "The Teacherlady" that is just the way it goes....even if it isn't what they like, this keeping on task is what they NEED. Anyway, long story short student confides in me about her dreams to earn her HS Diploma & go to the "Gator" University. She is sure this can NEVER happen....deficient grades, poverty, drop out etc. Anyway, we work nose to the grind for 6 months, we prep, we study and I even do some outside the norm things with her. We go to science museums, teach her how to ride Public transportation to get around, teach about a budget, how to grocery shop more efficiently, etc. Anyway, three months ago she earned her HS diploma. I was thrilled for her to put it mildly. But the story doesn't end there. I bring up the University again and show some concrete real possibilities, if she is serious. She still believes she CAN NOT do this. I ask her to humor me, let me help her work on her Free Financial Aid forms, Assist with college applications, etc. Although she doesn't believe it is a reality, because of her HS Diploma she allows my guidance and agrees to try. We pour over books, SAT/ACT Prep, you name it. Focus on Scholarships, everything and anything that may help.

Last week she received a packet to her home, mailed snail mail because she would NOT do it online. Anyway, she didn't tell me it arrived, we don't see each other weekly anymore . She just had it sitting on her table terrified of the failure, paralyzed with the fear of rejection, one more door slamming in her face. She NEVER comes to my office, we meet at another facility. She took transit with the packet to see if I was in but in the parking lot ripped open the packet and had to come in to see me...

She WAS accepted. Not only accepted.......but welcomed. Her SAT & ACT scores were INCREDIBLE and so was her Financial Aid package. To put it simply, she has housing, food, work study job, courses and books packaged. We went into my office and hugged and cried together. The student looked at me and said.. "Ms. _____ You always believed in me when I didn't even believe in myself. Why? I mean I never paid you a dime.....Why?"

I replied, "Why Not? Your worth it! The Only payment I want is for to go to school, do your absolute best, have fun and L-I-V-E, really LIVE."

I know in my heart that God put the two of us together for a reason and I am so thankful he did. To say I am proud of this student is an understatement and I am humbled by her. When life gets dark, just the thought of her will be the light. Hope is a gift we CAN give to others, may this story help YOU, maybe help 1 person, or yourself not give up hope about something tonight. Little did I know all those months ago, that a girl with the rattiest bookbag I have EVER seen would touch my very soul. May God Bless her in her journey.